Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who is at the No. 1 position in the ICC Test bowler's ranking, is in contention to make a comeback to the 50-over setup. He is expected to be a part of India’s 2023 World Cup squad. The Tamil Nadu-based spinner is India’s second leading wicket-taker in international cricket after he took a total of 15 wickets in the two-match series against the West Indies. Despite being a go-to man in the red ball format, Ashwin has not played an ODI match for India since January 21, 2022.
As per the report in The Indian Express, the senior cricketer might get picked in India's 15-member side for the 50-over high-octane event, which will begin in just a little more than two months' time in India.
The 36-year-old spinner was also a part of the MS Dhoni-led team that won the 2011 World Cup. As of now, he has played in 113 One-Day matches for India where he scalped 151 wickets. He also took part in the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy final as well but then also he was ignored for the 2019 ODI World Cup that happened in England four years ago.
According to the report by The Indian Express, Ashwin’s name is under consideration and is being talked about for the World Cup 2023 since India has two left-arm spinners Jadeja and Axar, who have identical bowling strengths. Ashwin's ability to bowl with the new ball is keeping him ahead in line to get a nod in the squad for World Cup.
If at all Ashwin steps in, Axar will likely be missing out but then the final decision will be taken by the management on the basis of the balance. Currently, India is gearing up for the ODI series against West Indies and the first match will take place in Bridgetown on Thursday where Ashwin did not get a place.
Ashwin played a crucial role in India’s victory over West Indies in a recently passed Test series where he recorded his best figures of 12 for 131 (5/60 and 7/71) and destroyed West Indies and helped India get innings and 141-run victory inside three days in the series opener.