R Ashwin is playing his third ODI in six years after being picked in the India XI for the first game against Australia on Friday (September 22), to give an indication that he could be in line for a call-up to the World Cup squad.
Ashwin, who has played just two matches in the last six years, was not included in the original World Cup squad and was not initially considered for selection. However, with Axar Patel injured in the Asia Cup and missing the final, Ashwin is back in contention after chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced his intention to include the off-spinner in the World Cup squad. . p >
After Patel’s injury, off-spinner Washington Sundar was selected for the Asia Cup final against Ashwin, but the former was not selected for Australia’s first ODI. Ashwin came forward instead and got the opportunity to replace Patel in the World Cup. According to reports, he could be available for all three of his games in the series.
Another notable decision was the decision to play Ruturaj Gaikwad alongside Shubman Gill at the top of the order while Rohit Sharma was rested. Gaikwad is not in the World Cup squad and will instead lead India at the Asian Games. Ishan Kishan, who was otherwise an opener and was in the World Cup squad, was selected at number five and was seen as a strong candidate for the role after his heroics against Pakistan. ing.
With Shreyas Iyer’s fitness in doubt, India had the option of starting Ishan Kishan with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma in the mid-order. Yadav is in the World Cup squad and Varma is likely to be included in the XV if Iyer is not fit. However, Varma has played only one ODI so far.
Iyer played in the ODI in Mohali but suffered back spasms during the Asia Cup after returning from a long break due to a back injury.
Australian Indian XI: Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (C & WK), Ishan Kishan, Surakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit・Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
