Ashwin drops subtle last WC remark after replacing Axar in India Cricket World Cup squad

Posted by Xchange Tickets on September 30th, 2023

In early September, BCCI's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, unveiled India's preliminary team for the Cricket World Cup. At that time, no reserve players were named, with Agarkar suggesting that the squad would likely remain unchanged unless an injury occurred. This situation seemed set in stone until the Asia Cup when Axar Patel suffered a tear in his quadriceps muscle. Unfortunately, Axar couldn't recover in time for the final match of the Australia series, where he was expected to join the squad, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament. In response, India called upon Ashwin to replace him.

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Ashwin, who had recently returned to the ODI format after a 20-month absence, stepped in. The sequence of events in the past few days left Ashwin somewhat surprised. During a chat with his fellow Tamil Nadu teammate and veteran cricketer, Dinesh Karthik, on Star Sports ahead of the World Cup warm-up match against England at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Ashwin couldn't help but chuckle when asked about his last-minute World Cup selection. He began with laughter and said, "I would be saying you are joking before continuing, Life is full of surprises, and I honestly wasn't thinking I would be here.

The trust that the team management has shown and the circumstances have made sure I am here today. But enjoying the game has been my prime motive over the last few years, and that is what I will be doing in this tournament. Amid Axar's injury concerns, Ashwin and Washington Sundar were brought in as replacements for the Australia series. Sundar had previously replaced Axar in the Asia Cup final, but Ashwin got the nod for the first two games against Australia. In those matches, held in Mohali and Indore, Ashwin impressed with a total of four wickets and maintained an economical performance.

Three of those wickets came in the second ODI, where he initiated a mini-collapse. Speaking to Karthik, Ashwin acknowledged that his focus, concerning bowling, would be on utilizing his ability to turn the ball both ways and employing subtle variations. However, he emphasized that his primary focus would be to relish what might be his final appearance in a World Cup. Pressure is of paramount importance for most players in these tournaments, but how you deal with it dictates how the tournament goes for yourself and the team. I have kept saying this; it could well be my last World Cup for India.

Ahead of Cricket World Cup 2023 fans praise Rohit Sharma for special feat

With the ICC Cricket World Cup on the horizon, cricket enthusiasts are singing praises for India's captain, Rohit Sharma, owing to his recent outstanding achievements. In the past few months, the cricketer hailing from Nagpur has notched several remarkable milestones. He is notably the first Indian to have smashed a staggering 350 sixes, then 400, followed by 450, 500, and now an astounding 550 sixes in international cricket.

Moreover, in the calendar year 2023, Rohit Sharma set a scorching record by hitting the most sixes ever in a year by an Indian captain sending the ball soaring out of the park 49 times in just 26 innings. Rohit Sharma's batting prowess is further highlighted by the fact that he stands alone among Asian captains (with a minimum of 1000 runs) with an impressive batting average exceeding 50 and a strike rate exceeding 100 in the history of One Day Internationals.

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In a recent third ODI against Australia in Rajkot, Rohit Sharma etched his name in history once more. He initiated India's run chase explosively, bludgeoning 81 runs off 57 balls. This remarkable innings featured five boundaries and six towering sixes. During this innings, Rohit Sharma also broke the record for the most sixes hit in a single nation. He now boasts a remarkable tally of 257 sixes in India. Previously, this record belonged to New Zealand's opener, Martin Guptill, who had struck 256 sixes on his home turf.

In the midst of these remarkable achievements, the Indian squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup also witnessed the surprise inclusion of veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, replacing the injured Axar Patel. However, this development gave rise to a conspiracy theory by cricket columnist Ayaz Memon, alleging that Indian captain Rohit Sharma had prior knowledge of Axar Patel's unavailability for the World Cup, despite official statements suggesting otherwise.

Australia chief selector George Bailey spills beans on David Warner’s form ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023

Australia's star batsman, David Warner, is gearing up for the much-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 in India, and the insights shared by chief selector George Bailey shed light on Warner's exceptional form as the tournament approaches. Warner's aggressive batting style has made him a standout player in limited-overs cricket, and he is poised to play a central role for Australia in the upcoming tournament, set to kick off on October 5 in India. Renowned for his ability to score runs rapidly, Warner has consistently thrived at the top of Australia's batting lineup.

In the lead-up to this mega event, Warner's recent performances have underscored his outstanding form. During the ODI series against India, he emerged as Australia's leading run-scorer, amassing 161 runs at an impressive average of 53.67. Prior to their series against India, Australia embarked on a tour of South Africa for a 5-match ODI leg, where Warner continued to impress by accumulating 206 runs at an average of 41.20, showcasing his remarkable consistency with the bat.

George Bailey, the chief selector of the Australian cricket team, offered his perspective on Warner's peak form just ahead of this global cricketing spectacle. Bailey emphasized that it's not surprising to witness Warner in top form, as top-tier players often rise to the occasion on significant platforms like the World Cup. Bailey stated, not just in the Australian team, but around the world, these are the tournaments that the best players build themselves up for and get excited about.

That’s the ultimate challenge for them to not only prove how good they are individually but also to help their team achieve some really exciting success.  So, I'm not surprised that he's hit the ground running here with the enthusiasm that you'd expect from 'Davey' and playing exceptionally well. As the ODI World Cup 2023 draws nearer, fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Warner's performances and hope for his continued success on the world stage.

Marnus Labuschagne Really Had Nothing to Lose and It Was the Perfect Scenario for World Cup

Veteran Australian batsman, Usman Khawaja, recently shared his thoughts on Marnus Labuschagne's inclusion in the national team for the ICC World Cup 2023. Khawaja highlighted Labuschagne's determination to excel, even when his spot in the team seemed uncertain. Initially, Marnus Labuschagne was not part of Australia's provisional squad for the World Cup. However, his opportunity arose when Steve Smith was sidelined from the ODI series against South Africa.

And Labuschagne made the most of it with impressive performances. His outstanding performances ultimately earned him a spot in Australia's final 15-member World Cup squad. Labuschagne's inclusion in the squad came after left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was ruled out of the tournament due to a calf injury. In light of this, Labuschagne is likely to feature prominently in the team,

Particularly in the absence of Travis Head, who will be unavailable for the initial few games of the tournament. Labuschagne's journey from being initially left out to becoming a key player in Australia's World Cup squad showcases his resilience and adaptability, qualities that bode well for the team as they prepare for the prestigious cricketing event.

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