Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence from India’s preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was notable, as the selectors opted for three left-arm spinners instead. Despite this setback, Ashwin expressed his unwavering dedication to Indian cricket, emphasizing his readiness to contribute whenever the team calls upon him.
Reflecting on his extensive 14-15 year career representing Team India, Ashwin shared a conversation he had with Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra on his official YouTube channel. He recounted Bindra’s statement that he had faced more failures than successes, a sentiment Ashwin could relate to. Nevertheless, Ashwin underscored the indelible mark of Indian cricket on his heart, asserting his commitment to give his all if the team requires his services in the future.
While Ashwin has been a pivotal figure in India’s Test cricket side in recent years, he has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent presence in white-ball formats. His last appearance in an ODI dates back to January 2022, and although he was part of India’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup, he lost his place following the team’s semi-final defeat to England.
Axar Patel secured a spot in India’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, edging out Ravichandran Ashwin in the selection process. Nevertheless, some fans expressed their disappointment with Axar’s performance with the ball during the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka this past Tuesday.
Ashwin, on the other hand, believes that Axar should not face undue scrutiny for his recent bowling performances. He expressed confidence that the left-arm spinner will regain his rhythm as he continues to bowl more overs.