Rohit Sharma Confirms R Ashwin Still In Discussion For World Cup 2023 Selection

After the massive Asia Cup 2023 victory, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is still in contention for a return to the ODI side and is in the scheme of things about the World Cup 2023.

Earlier this month, the BCCI had announced India’s 15-man provisional squad for the World Cup 2023. That didn’t include either R Ashwin or Washington Sundar, the country’s two premier off-spinning all-rounders at the moment.

However, Sundar was called up to the Asia Cup squad after Axar Patel got injured playing against Bangladesh. Sundar landed in Colombo on Saturday and straightaway featured in India’s playing XI, replacing Axar in the line-up, in the final on Sunday against Sri Lanka. But he didn’t get to bowl or bat and India bowled Sri Lanka out in only 15.2 overs and chased in 6.1 overs, winning the final by 10 wickets.

Sundar getting called into the Asia Cup final XI indicated that he’s ahead of R Ashwin in the pecking order for the off-spinner’s role, and the management could include him in the squad, which needs to be finalized by September 27.

However, captain Rohit Sharma admitted that he has talked on calls with R Ashwin and the 37-year-old is in contention as a spinning all-rounder.

“For the spin bowling all-rounder slot many people are in line. Including R Ashwin who I have been talking to regularly on the phone. Along with Ashwin, Axar and Washington too,” Rohit Sharma said in the press conference after India’s Asia Cup title win in Colombo on Sunday.

I will be ready and will give my 100 percent: R Ashwin hints about chats with Rohit Sharma

Earlier, R Ashwin himself in his YouTube video had said that he’s always ready to serve Indian cricket, and would be available to play whenever they ask him to. Ashwin last played an ODI back in January 2022.

“I have had my fair share of failures and successes. But I have tattooed Indian cricket close to my heart. If they require my service even tomorrow, I will be ready and will give my 100 percent,” Ashwin said on YouTube.

India 15-man provisional World Cup squad:

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Ishan Kishan(wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.