• India announces squads for Australia ODI series: R Ashwin returns, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to miss two matches

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    India announces squads for Australia ODI series: R Ashwin returns, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to miss two matches

    BCCI mentioned that inclusion of Axar Patel in third ODI is subject to his fitness levels.


    Digital Desk: India, the defending Asian champion, will begin a three-match ODI series against Australia on September 22. The series is significant because it occurs right before the ODI World Cup 2023. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was included in the Team India roster released on Monday for the ODI series between India and Australia. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will miss the first two ODIs and KL Rahul will lead the Team India squad in those matches.


    In spite of not being selected for the ODI World Cup 2023 squad, Ravichandran Ashwin's comeback for the Australia series is intriguing because captain Rohit Sharma revealed that discussions are still ongoing about including the spinner, and the injury to Axar Patel has improved his prospects.


    "Ashwin is in the running as a spinner-all-rounder. He and I have been speaking on the phone. Axar sustained the injuries just in time. Washington had to come and play the part for us because he was available," according to Rohit, who was quoted by the Hindustan Times.





    The absence of Ravichandran Ashwin from the Team India roster for the 2023 ODI World Cup and Asia Cup infuriated the fans. For the time being, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur are the best candidates to bat at number 8 for the team.


    Team India's lineup for the first two games


    KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna


    Team India squad for the third match


    Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj


    Notably, BCCI mentioned that inclusion of Axar Patel in third ODI is subject to his fitness levels.