IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma explains reason behind picking Ravi Ashwin for Australia ODIs

Ravi Ashwin is back in India's ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia.

The much-awaited announcement has been made. The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced the Indian squad for the upcoming ODIs against Australia. Team India recently won the Asia Cup 2023, beating Sri Lanka in the final with a one-sided win by a big margin of ten wickets. Now, India will play three ODIs against Australia ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

The series will start on September 22 and end on September 27. The selection committee announced two squads. KL Rahul will lead the Indian team for the first two ODIs. All the senior players, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been rested in the first two games. However, all seniors will be back in the third and final ODI, which will be played on September 27.

Ravi Ashwin makes the comeback in the ODI squad for Australia series

The announced squad saw the return of veteran off-spinner Ravi Ashwin. He has been picked to play the ODI format against Australia. There were some rumors that India might give a chance to Ashwin in the upcoming World Cup as Axar Patel is doubtful after an injury. Now, it looked quite true. Ashwin last played an ODI in January 2022 and will make his comeback almost 18 months later. The Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who was present at the press conference, said that he was in talks with Ashwin after the Asia Cup 2023 final.

Rohit said, "Look with the kind of experience Ashwin has. He has played close to 100 Test matches, and close to 150 ODIs. Yes it's in the past but he has consistently been playing Test cricket. With guys like Ashwin, having time on the ground is not so much of a concern which is why we thought if he's an option for us, we'll have to get him in. So the games against Australia will give us a chance to look at where he's at, how he's bowling and how his body is feeling and things like that."

Axar Patel's injury has forced the Indian team to look for other options. Washington Sundar was summoned to the Asia Cup final. He and Ashwin will be two off-spin options in the coming series, and both can bat as well. Earlier, when the World Cup squad was announced, Ashwin's exclusion raised the eyebrows of many former cricketers. Notably, the last date to make changes to the World Cup squad is September 28.