A new spin headache has been bothering the Indian Cricket Team ahead of the World Cup. Ever since his comeback into the squad, Ravichandran Ashwin has been quite decent with the ball. But in the India vs Australia (IND vs AUS 3rd ODI) the veteran was benched while Washington Sundar got his chance under the sun. This brings confusion as to whether the veteran spinner has been confirmed for the India Squad for World Cup?
The absence of Axar Patel for his unfortunate wrist and hamstring injury has opened the way for Ravichandran Ashwin back into India’s ODI World Cup squad. And with 2 weeks remaining for the big tournament, the Men in Blue will bank on the experience of the veteran as the hosts target their 3rd World Cup win.
Ashwin vs Washinton Sundar
The two players have their own backings as to who would make the World Cup playing XI. While the tip largely tilts toward Ashwin it is worth noting that Washington is yet to show his mark. Sundar replaced Axar in the Asia Cup finals, but he hardly had to do anything in the game. It was an all-pacers show with Mohammed Siraj breaking Sri Lanka’s back with a stunning 6-wicket haul.
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On the other hand, Ashwin scalped a wicket in India vs Australia 1st ODI, but he was the star bowler in the second game where he bagged 3 crucial wickets to seal the series in India’s favor.
Now in the 3rd ODI, Washington gets his light under the sun. This is mainly due to 2 reasons – 1. Ashwin has got his chance in the World Cup and is thus rested or 2. Rahul Dravid is yet to decide who will make the final cut.
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There was a constant chatter from the pundits who claimed that Washinton Sundar had been underutilized. “We’ve been talking about lack of all-rounders, but here we have a very good potential all-rounder in Washington Sundar. Unfortunately, what has happened is, despite the fact that he’s proved his batting credentials, time and again in all formats, in the limited opportunities he got, he is not being encouraged. We have to try and utilize the resources we have to our best. It’s only then we are going to get what we need, come the tough situations,” WV Raman told TOI.
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