World Cup 2023: Ravichandran Ashwin ‘This could be my last World Cup for India’ in Limited overs

Ravichandran Ashwin ‘This could be my last World Cup for India’ in Limited overs: BCCI head selector Ajit Agarkar  revealed India’s preliminary World Cup roster in early September, though he made no mention of any backup players. If no injuries occurred, he said, this would be the final squad. This appeared to be the case up until Axar Patel tore his quadriceps at the Asia Cup.

He had hoped to join the team for the series’ final match against Australia, however he was unable to come back in time. He was therefore eliminated from the match. India eventually selected Ashwin to take his position, even though he had only recently played an ODI against Australia after a 20-month break.

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Ashwin himself was taken away by an unanticipated turn of events. In a conversation on Star Sports prior to the World Cup warm-up match against England at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Ashwin’s encountered cricketer and fellow Tamil Nadu colleague Dinesh Karthik playfully questioned him about his late World Cup selection. Ashwin shrugged it off.

“I would be saying you are joking,” he started off with laughter before adding: “Life is full of surprises and I honestly wasn’t thinking I would be here. The trust that the team management has shown and circumstances have made sure I am here today. But enjoying the game has been my prime motive over the last few years and that is what I will be doing in this tournament.”

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Amid concerns over Axar’s injury, Ashwin and Washington Sundar were called up as replacements for the Australia series. Sundar had previously replaced Axar in the Asia Cup final, but it was Ashwin who was given the opportunity to play in the first two games against the Aussies. Ashwin showcased his skills by taking four wickets in an economical manner in both Mohali and Indore, three of which came in the second ODI where he initiated a mini collapse.

During a conversation with Karthik, Ashwin admitted that his main focus, apart from his bowling, would be to enjoy what could potentially be his final World Cup appearance. He expressed his intention to spin the ball in both directions and incorporate subtle variations into his game.

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“All I do is turn the ball both ways and I feel I can already do that. It is all about doing subtle variations and dealing with pressure in these sort of tournaments. Pressure is of paramount importance for most players in these tournament, but how you deal with it dictate how the tournament goes for yourself and the team. As far as I am concerned, being in a good space and enjoying the game will hold me in good stead. I have kept saying this, it could well be my last World Cup for India,” he said.

(With Input From DNAIndia)