Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his joy at joining India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad as a last-minute replacement for the injured all-rounder Axar Patel. Ashwin, who had previously participated in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, hinted that this tournament might mark his final World Cup appearance. He attributed his recent success to his dedication to enjoying the game.
The seasoned player emphasized that the pressure would be on the Men in Blue as they aimed to secure their first ICC title in a decade. To provide some context, Ashwin’s last ODI World Cup appearance was in 2015, and he was a crucial part of India’s victorious 2011 World Cup squad.
In an interview with Star Sports before the India vs. England warmup match on September 30, Ashwin stated, “I honestly wasn’t contemplating being here, talking about my late inclusion in the World Cup. For the past four to five years, my primary focus has been on savoring the game, and I intend to continue that approach in this tournament.”
He went on to say, “All I can do is utilize my skills to spin the ball both ways and hope for the best. Pressure is a significant factor for most players in this competition. Being in a positive mindset and training to relish the game will, I believe, put me in a good position.”
Ashwin also reiterated his desire to enjoy the tournament, repeatedly mentioning that this might be his final World Cup for India. He expressed, “For me, the most crucial aspect is to derive enjoyment from the tournament.”
Additionally, Ashwin humorously mentioned that he didn’t seek the limelight or the camera but agreed to the interview because it was being conducted by Dinesh Karthik. He chuckled as he said, “I informed the media person that they shouldn’t have me in front of the camera for some time now. Still, in this instance, he said Dinesh Karthik would be interviewing me, so I obliged the opportunity.”