ODI World Cup: Ravichandran Ashwin replaces Axar Patel in India’s final squad

India has named Ravichandran Ashwin as the replacement for Axar Patel in Team India’s final squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. Spin bowling allrounder Axar Patel sustained a quadriceps tear injury in Asia Cup 2023 and is not expected to recover soon which compelled the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to rule him out of the World Cup due to the injury.

Earlier, he also missed the India-Australia series where Ravichandran Ashwin displayed a stunning performance.

R Ashwin replaces injured Axar Patel in the 15-member squad.

We wish Axar a speedy recovery 👍 👍#TeamIndia's final squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here 🙌#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/aejYhJJQrT

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2023

ICC’s official statement

ICC stated in a press release, “Axar Patel has failed to recover in time for the World Cup after sustaining a left quadriceps strain during India’s Asia Cup Super Four encounter against Bangladesh. The spin-bowling all-rounder missed the final of the Asia Cup as a result”.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the recently concluded ODI series against mighty Australia has been great. He scalped important four key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, and Josh Inglis in the two outings in the series. He got out Australian star batter Marnus Labuschagne twice in two matches.

The 37-year-old could add some much-needed variety to India’s impeccable bowling line-up, which currently lacks a specialist off-spinner option. Axar Patel, on the other hand, is a much better batsman at number 8, as his performances over the past year have shown in international outings and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik predicted Ashwin to get a place in the ODI World Cup squad before the announcement.

R ASHWIN will be there in TEAM INDIA world cup squad

Don't ask me how

Its just a feeling

Lets see how well this tweet ages #CricketTwitter

— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 28, 2023

India’s final squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav