IND vs AUS: Ravi Ashwin explains events leading up to his ODI recall

Ravi Ashwin made his ODI comeback in IND vs AUS ODI series 2023.

Ace India off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has explained in detail how he was asked to get ready for a comeback in the ODI scheme of things by the Indian team management after the West Indies tour. Ashwin, who last played an ODI in January 2022, was named in the India squad for Australia ODIs.

As the team takes on Australia in a three-match ODI series beginning on September 22, Team India will participate in a dress rehearsal for their 2023 World Cup. The Indian squad will be captained by KL Rahul in the opening two games as both Rohit Sharma and his backup Hardik Pandya have been given a rest.

The series will be India's final bit of bilateral action before the marquee tournament, in which the side will also take part in two warm-up matches. India will test their bench strength and the series also saw the return of star spinner Ravi Ashwin to the ODI fold after over a year.

He was named in the squad, along with Washington Sundar due to injury to Axar Patel. The left-arm all-rounder suffered a hamstring injury during the Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Bangladesh. He also missed the final of the tournament.

'Came back from West Indies and team management said, be ready': Ravi Ashwin

While many believed that Ashwin's return was sudden, the off-spinner has now revealed that the team management kept him in the loop ever since he returned to India from the West Indies in August.

“It is a great opportunity for me. Like I have always said in the last 3-4 years, it's not about what I want to achieve in these opportunities. I want to give myself the best chance to enjoy. I came back from the West Indies, took a break, played in a few club games. The team management kept me in the loop, whenever they said there could be chance. Stay ready, just in case. I was touching base with my fitness, started bowling a few sessions,” Ashwin said in a video posted by the BCCI.

Following his return to India, Ashwin played in a number of club matches, but he stated that he didn't do so in anticipation of being called up to the ODI squad.

“I kept expectations largely from myself. It's easier to deal with expectations when you have them from yourselves. The pride I hold on my performance, my practice. When you have expectations from things you can't control, it's always going to leave you with disappointment. Because it is not in your hands,” said the off-spinner.

The first ODI of the series between India and Australia is being played in Mohali on Friday, September 22, 2023.