In a strange decision, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been selected in the Indian team for the ODI series against Australia due to spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel’s injury.
Former chief selector MSK Prasad has backed Ashwin’s selection in the Indian team. Moreover, he has fired an early warning to the visitors.
“This is very good news, I said it previously as well, Ashwin will be a handy option for the Indian team that too in home conditions,” said Prasad during an interview.
“Ashwin is close to 500 wickets in all three formats combined in Indian conditions. In all teams these days, there are at least 3-4 left-handers, so against left-handers he will be deadly. I hope he can do well against Australia and get selected in the World Cup squad as well,” he added.
Notably, Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket with 712 scalps to his name. The star spinner has picked up 424 wickets across all formats in India. The top-ranked Test bowler has played 118 international games in India. Only legendary spinner Anil Kumble (476) has taken more international wickets than Ashwin at home.