Irfan Pathan questions R Ashwin's selection in ODI series against Australia ahead of World Cup

New Delhi, September 20

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Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is not happy and questioned the sudden inclusion of off-break spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian ODI series against Australia starting from September 22, ahead of the World Cup.

Ashwin who hasn’t been part of the Indian ODI squad for a long time, played his last ODI match in January 2022 against South Africa. Talking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan felt that there was a lack of planning and that Ashwin should have been given more chances.

“You get a better spinner than Ashwin in the entire world. But in a tournament as big as the World Cup, where there is immense pressure, you can’t expect a senior player to walk in and play for the team in a format which he hasn’t played for a long time and prove his worth. So you are leaving it entirely to fate.

There is no planning here. Had there been a plan for Ashwin, they should have given him some game time before the World Cup. Yes, he will be playing against Australia, but is that enough?

You have to bowl for 10 overs, adjust in the team as well, and give India that result. It isn’t that easy. Planning should have been better,” said Pathan.

The decision to bring Ashwin back into the mix comes ahead of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is set to commence next month. Ashwin was not selected in the provisional ODI World Cup squad, nor was part of the Asia Cup.

However, with the injury of Axar Patel, Ashwin’s potential return to the ODI format looks possible. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selection for the BCCI, made a suggestion that Patel had a good chance of recuperating in time for the World Cup. But if Patel can’t recover by the International Cricket Council’s deadline on September 28, Ashwin might be a last-minute addition to the World Cup squad.

Earlier in the press conference skipper Rohit Sharma also expressed confidence in Ashwin’s abilities and stated that he is in continuous touch with him. Players like him don’t need match-time to showcase their talent.