'Ashwin Was Called First For Asia Cup Final, But...': Karthik Reveals Reason Behind Sundar's Selection

The Indian team management also opted for Washington Sundar but then Ashwin got a final nod in the playing XI in the first ODI against the Kangaroos.

Ravichandran Ashwin in action.

Source : Getty

India’s veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin returned to the ODI side after a huge gap of 20 months for the bilateral series against Australia. This series will also serve as a final dress rehearsal for both sides before the upcoming World Cup 2023 which is slated to take place in India. Ashwin made his way to 50 over set up after left-arm spinner Axar Patel sustained an injury during the recently passed Asia Cup Super 4 match against Bangladesh.

The Indian team management also opted for Washington Sundar but then Ashwin got a final nod in the playing XI in the first ODI against the Kangaroos. Speaking about the same, veteran India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik explained the reason why Ashwin was the first choice for team management in the ODI series.

“With a little inside information I know, I'll end up defending Rohit, Ajit, and Rahul Dravid here. They actually called up R Ashwin first at the Asia Cup final. They had a conversation and Ashwin felt he wasn't match ready yet. So, he said it's better if I don't come to this game, because Washington was playing. He was playing in local tournaments in Chennai and he was in NCA. So, they sent Sundar for that one game,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

“Then, Ashwin played a couple of local club matches, and then, they picked him. That was the whole conversation. Their first choice at that point as well was Ashwin. I understand Washington could've been misled a bit, but they choose Ashwin first.”

Previously on Friday, the BCCI shared a video where the Tamil Nadu-based spinner disclosed that he was asked to be in the loop by the board since the Test series against West Indies in August.

“I came back from the West Indies, took a break, played in a few club games. The team management kept me in the loop, whenever they said there could be chance. Stay ready, just in case. I was touching base with my fitness, started bowling a few sessions,” Ashwin said.