‘So its confirmed, he’s playing the World Cup’ – Fans react to Rahul Dravid’s statement on Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of 1st ODI against Australia

Team India is set to prepare for the ODI World Cup with a tough series against Australia. The first game of the series is set to be played on Friday at Mohali. While the fans are excited for the series, there are a few concerns looming large for the team.

Axar Patel’s injury during the 2023 Asia Cup has opened the door for Ashwin to make his return. The veteran Indian off-spinner hasn’t played the fifty-over format for nearly 18 months.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the team for the three-match ODI series has raised questions. Former Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh questioned the move to bench Yuzvendra Chahal. Rahul Dravid, the Indian coach has come out with a strong statement.

Ashwin and Rahul Dravid (Source-Twitter)

India coach Rahul Dravid backs Ravi Ashwin’s inclusion

Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make his comeback to the Indian playing XI. The veteran spinner will feature in the 1^st ODI against Australia on Friday at Mohali. While speaking to the media, Rahul Dravid firmly gave his backing to the 37-year-old.

The Indian coach while speaking to the media said “This is not a trial for Ashwin. Having someone of Ashwin’s experience to comeback is always good for us. Someone like Ashwin provides you with that experience, that ability to contribute with the bat at number 8, and someone we always thought of in case, there are certain opportunities opened.”

The Indian coach further said, “he is someone who is definitely a part of your plans and someone of his experience, I know has not played a lot of ODI cricket of late but someone of his experience can do that really well."

Finally, the Indian coach Rahul Dravid urged Ashwin to make the best use of the chance ahead of the ODI World. “It’s a good chance for him to test himself because he has not played the 50-over cricket for a long time. I will not say that for him it is a trial or anything, we know his quality. This is a chance for him to get the taste of this format and we just want to give him an opportunity to play in two or three games”.

Ashwin has played 113 games scoring 707 runs with a best of 65, which is only fifty in the format. With the ball, The 37-year-old has 151 wickets with a best of 4/25. His last game was against South Africa in early 2022.

Here’s how the fans reacted: 

Rahul Dravid said, "someone like Ravi Ashwin provides you that experience, that ability to be able to also contribute to bat at No.8. He was someone that we always thought of in case there were certain injuries or a certain opportunity opened up then". pic.twitter.com/zA4tdePHR0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 21, 2023

So it's confirmed, he is playing the world cup

— Pr𝕏tham (@78thCenturyWhxn) September 21, 2023

Ash Anna is someone who tries his best, comes prepared every time he plays, but still I feel he isn't a wicket taker like yuzi chahal

— Anuraj Kumar (@BeAnuraj) September 21, 2023

I agree with Dravid as opposition Will have many left hand batsman too

— MOHAMMAD (@Mohammedptl_18) September 21, 2023

So more chances for Ashwin Inclusion in the absence of Axar, ahead of Washi 👍

— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) September 21, 2023

Ash is 🔥🔥

— Vinita Pangeni (@Wyni16) September 21, 2023

Ash na🔥🔥🔥

— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) September 21, 2023

Why some guys don't play cricket all year and then gets selected for World Cup?

— P (@ForeverBlue_07) September 21, 2023

So Ashwin will certainly be added in the WC squad

— Saumya Tripathi (@SanskariSaumyat) September 21, 2023