Ashwin replaces Axar Patel in the World Cup Squad

In a recent development concerning the Indian Cricket team’s preparations for the highly anticipated World Cup 2023, a significant change had to be made to the squad due to an unforeseen circumstance. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who had been an integral part of the team’s strategy, is now facing a prolonged period of recovery from a troublesome injury. Patel initially suffered a left quadriceps strain during the Super Fours match against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2023 and has been sidelined from the squad since then.

In light of this unfortunate setback, the team management swiftly moved to address the situation by naming veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as Axar Patel’s replacement in the World Cup squad. This decision carries notable significance as it marks Ashwin’s return to the One Day International (ODI) format after a hiatus of 21 months. Ashwin’s remarkable performance in the recent ODI series against Australia further solidified his selection, where he made a substantial impact with his exceptional bowling skills.

During the aforementioned ODI series, Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as one of the standout performers, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker. He impressively secured four crucial wickets across two innings, boasting an average of 22 and an economy rate of 5.17. This stellar performance speaks volumes about Ashwin’s continued prowess in the shorter format of the game.

Ashwin’s experience in the ODI arena is unquestionable, having represented India in 115 ODIs throughout his illustrious career. He has managed to claim an impressive tally of 155 wickets at an average of 33.20 and an economy rate of 4.94. Notably, Ashwin has been part of India’s campaign in major international tournaments in the past, including the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. His presence in the squad brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that could prove invaluable during the upcoming World Cup

With this new addition to the squad, the Indian Cricket team is gearing up for the World Cup 2023 with renewed determination and a blend of both youth and experience. The team composition now stands as follows:

India World Cup squad:

• Rohit Sharma (Captain)
• Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain)
• Shubman Gill
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Shardul Thakur
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mohammed Shami
• Ravichandran Ashwin (Replacement for Axar Patel)
• Ishan Kishan
• Suryakumar Yadav