Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin got the golden opportunity to play in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023, after Akshar Patel was ruled out of the ongoing due to an injury.
Ashwin even played in Team India’s opening game against Australia in Chennai, conceding 34 runs in his 10 overs and getting the crucial wicket of Cameron Green.
As the Indian cricket team is set to face Afghanistan in their second World Cup 2023 match on Wednesday, October 11, Virender Sehwag is against the idea of playing Ashwin in Delhi.
The former Indian cricketer believes that India should rest Ashwin and bring in Mohammad Shami for their upcoming 2023 World Cup clash against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Explaining the reason behind his suggestion, Sehwag said that the Indian team management must save Ashwin for the big matches given his age, and in Delhi, there would not be much assistance to spinners, so the hosts should go with Shami against Afghanistan.
Virender Sehwag was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “I think Ravichandran Ashwin will be rested. Mohammed Shami has been in wonderful form, and he even took a fifer against Australia. This is a different wicket, and the ground is also smaller. Also, there is the age factor with Ashwin. So, India will look to save him for the big matches.”
