(Image Source: AP)
[Saba Sports News] India made a last-minute change to their World Cup 2023 squad on September 28, replacing injured all-rounder Axar Patel with veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Patel had sustained a left quadriceps strain during the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match against Bangladesh, leading to his exclusion from both the final of the continental tournament and the subsequent three-match ODI series against Australia.
(Image Source: Twitter)
Despite initial hopes of Patel’s recovery in time for the World Cup, the team management ultimately chose Ravichandran Ashwin as his replacement during the squad finalization.
Following this decision, fake screenshots of Axar Patel’s Instagram story circulated on social media, where he appeared to express disappointment at being left out of Team India. However, Patel clarified the screenshots’ authenticity by retweeting the information from his official account.
In ODIs since 2022, Axar Patel has taken 14 wickets in 15 innings at an average of 35.21, with an economy rate of 4.90. He has also scored 300 runs in 14 innings during the same period, boasting an average of 30 and a strike rate of 106, with two half-centuries to his name.
Ravichandran Ashwin, on the other hand, made a noteworthy comeback to the ODI side after a 21-month absence during the recent series against Australia. In the second ODI in Indore, the 37-year-old showcased his skills by taking 3/41 in seven overs, dismissing David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Josh Inglis. He finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the series, securing four wickets in two innings at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 5.17.
Throughout his career, Ashwin has played 115 ODIs, accumulating 155 wickets at an average of 33.20 and an economy rate of 4.94. With extensive experience in major tournaments, including participation in the 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cups, Ashwin has taken 17 wickets in ten matches during these mega events, with an average of 24.88 and an economy rate of 4.36.
India is set to commence their World Cup campaign with a warm-up match against England on September 30 in Guwahati, followed by another warm-up game against Netherlands on October 03 in Thiruvananthapuram.