The BCCI men’s senior selection committee on Thursday (September 28) finalized India's final 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and there was a notable inclusion in it.
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin replaced Akshar Patel, who failed to recover from his quadriceps injury that he sustained during the Asia Cup 2023 earlier this month.
Akshar’s injury also paved the way for Ashwin’s selection in the recently held ODI series against Australia, where the latter played the first two games and repaid the faith of the selectors and team management.
Ashwin returned with bowling figures of 1/47 (10 overs) in the series opener in Mohali. He continued his brilliance in the second ODI in Indore, picking up three wickets in his seven overs by conceding 41 runs.
Before beginning their World Cup campaign versus Australia on October 8, India have two warm-up fixtures lined up against England and Netherlands in Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram on September 30 and October 3, respectively.
Ahead of the warm-up match against England, Ashwin interacted with Dinesh Karthi for Star Sports and talked about his late inclusion in the World Cup squad.
“I honestly wasn't thinking about being here (talking about his late selection for the World Cup). Enjoying the game has been my prime motto for the last four to five years and I would like to do that again in this tournament. I told the media guy that he shouldn't be putting me in front of camera for a while now, but this is probably one of those situations where he said Dinesh Karthik is interviewing you and I obliged the opportunity (chuckles),” Ashwin said.
The 37-year-old acknowledged that dealing with pressure will be the biggest challenge while playing in the World Cup.
“It's all about making subtle variations (talking about the preparations) and dealing with pressure, all you can do is turn the ball both ways and hope for the best. Pressure is of paramount importance for most players in this tournament. Being in a good space and training to enjoy the game will hold me in good stead i reckon,” he added.
Ashwin further said that this could be his last World Cup for India across formats.
“Want to enjoy the tournament. I don't know I have kept saying this, this could be my last World Cup for India. For me enjoying the tournament is more important,” he concluded.
