Veteran off-spinner Ravichandra Ashwin’s inclusion in Team India’s squad as Akshar Patel's replacement for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 sparked debate among the Indian cricketing fraternity.

While many supported Indian captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid’s move, others, like Yuvraj Singh, voiced against the expected decision as there is likely to be only one specialist left-hander in India's playing XI  during the upcoming mega event, which is set to get underway on October 5, 2023.

Notably, Ashwin was named as Akshar’s replacement for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 after the all-rounder failed to recover from a quadriceps strain that he sustained during the Asia Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar backed Ashwin’s selection and said that the off-spinner can be a key factor for the Men in Blue in the middle overs in the 2023 World Cup, as he has the ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs.

Read More: CWC 2023: Sunil Gavaskar names India’s playing XI for their World Cup opener against Australia

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “To start with the new ball there is Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami...I don't know if all three of them will play in the World Cup, but these three are world-class bowlers. We saw Jasprit Bumrah took a little bit of a hammering in Rajkot against Australia. He is too experienced a bowler to repeat those mistakes.”

He added, “But that is not to worry. It is the middle overs which is...we saw what good pitch this was so players can play through the line when the ball is not deviating or turn or bounce. And this is where Ashwin with his experience and his canniness will play as a key factor.”

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “I'm not sure if they will play him in the XI for the big matches but he is the kind if bowler who can actually get you wickets in the middle overs, and that doesn't allow partnerships to build and subsequently, a team can be restricted to a low total.”