India have included both R Ashwin and Washington Sundar in their 15-member squad for the first two ODIs against Australia. With the World Cup looming and the team intent on testing more of the bench strength, regulars such as Rohit Sharma, the captain, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested until the third and final game. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will lead the side.
“Ashwin has been playing consistently in Tests,” said Rohit during the virtual press conference to announce the squad. “He has got a lot of experience. It is not about his game time. Guys like him are always in mind, and games against Australia will give us the answer as to where he stands.”
For the third ODI, however, India have picked the same squad that they hope will play the World Cup, with Ashwin and Washington added in.
“We are hoping Axar Patel is fit for the third encounter,” Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, told reporters on Monday. “R Ashwin and Washington Sundar are also included for the third ODI.”
Ashwin has played just two ODIs for India in the last six years, both in Paarl in South Africa in January 2022. He last played a home ODI at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in January 2017.
“Rohit is taking a break,” said Agarkar. “Others are getting a breather. Rohit and Virat have been around forever. Hardik has been there. Kuldeep too. They got a fair amount of cricket in the Asia Cup. Guys need a mental break, and come the third game, our main players will play.”
The three-match series against Australia is India’s last ODI assignment before the World Cup and it presents a chance for Tilak Varma, the highly rated middle-order batter, to push his case at the highest level. He has been picked for the first two games along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will lead India at the Asian Games.
Squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c, wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
For third ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.