Ashwin was drafted into the World Cup squad after Akshar Patel failed to recover from his injury.
India’s preparation seems to be on track as they recently won the Asia Cup and also defeated Australia in a three-match ODI series at home. However, there are still some questions remain over the team composition.
With Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in the mix, it remains to be seen who the team management prefers for the No. 4 and 5 spots.
Moreover, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was drafted into the World Cup squad at the last moment after Akshar Patel failed to recover from his quadriceps injury.
Ashwin’s late inclusion has also sparked a debate regarding the choices of spinners in the XI, with India also having Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in their ranks.
Amid the debate, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has called for Ashwin’s selection in the playing XI.
“People are realising that skill is more important. It's not like an off-spinner shouldn't bowl to right-handers. Even I mentioned that Ashwin should play if the opposition has more left-handers, but that is what the management thinks. But if I was captain of the team or part of management, I would pick my five best bowlers and Ashwin would be first or second on that list,” Harbhajan said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.
When asked to pick his bowling line-up, Harbhajan surprisingly left out Kuldeep, who has done exceptionally well in the 50-over format this year. The wrist-spinner has taken 33 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 16.03 with one five-wicket haul.
Kuldeep also played a key role in India’s Asia Cup 2023 triumph last month. He took nine wickets at a remarkable average of 11.44 and an economy rate of 3.61 in five Asia Cup games and was awarded Player-of-the-Tournament.
However, Harbhajan backed Ashwin because of the latter’s superior skills with the bat.
“If I had to pick today, it would be Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, Jadeja, Ashwin," he added.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri echoed Harbhajan Singh, stating that the Men in Blue will have to be flexible with their playing XI.
“You have to be flexible. I will go one step ahead and watch the oppositions and think how they will play whom. And now that Ashwin is in the 15, it makes a challenge for the XI all the time. Kuldeep is not a certainty, unless he comes in and starts off brilliantly. Yes there is no question about Kuldeep's performance... he has been bowling at his best after a long time. But on a certain day and on a certain track...if the pitch is dry, you would want only two fast bowlers because there is Hardik Pandya as well,” he said.
Shastri wants Ashwin to play as an attacking spin option, someone who looks to take wickets in the middle overs.
“What you don't want to see from Ashwin is the defensive bowling when he gets the opportunity. You want him to show his skills and get those wickets in the middle overs,” he remarked.