• Home
  • Cricket News
  • R Ashwin Might Feature In Indias World Cup Opener In Chennai After Intense Net Session

R Ashwin Might Feature In India's World Cup Opener In Chennai After Intense Net Session

image-lne4kz0tR Ashwin could get the nod ahead of Shardul Thakur vs AUS [AP]

A dry turning pitch in Chennai could bolster the case of Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of India's 2023 World Cup opening clash against Australia on Sunday (October 8). 

Ashwin underwent a highly intense net session for an extensive period on Thursday at the refurbished MA Chidambaram Stadium amidst the backdrop of the keenly followed tournament opener between England and New Zealand played in Ahmedabad. 

The 36-year-old may be one of the backup spinners in the squad. Still, if the team management under coach Rahul Dravid decides to play a three-pronged spin attack on the dry Chepauk surface, the great off-spinner could team up with India's lead wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and premier spin allrounder Ravindra Jadeja. 


Ashwin set to play in three-pronged spin attack in Chennai

According to the report in the Times of India, Ashwin is a shoo-in for the Chennai opening game due to his familiarity with the conditions at his home ground and the pitch that is expected to offer sharp turn and grip to the spinners from both sides. 

After a nervy first spell in Mohali, Ashwin returned to find his best rhythm and kept a tight leash on the scoring. The stalwart cricketer backed his performance in the first ODI with an exceptional spell in the second ODI in Indore to end with figures of 3/41, vindicating the faith shown in him by Dravid, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma. 

He wasn't even part of India's original plans for the home World Cup a month back. However, an untimely injury to the left-arm spinner and capable No.8 Axar Patel forced a tweak of plans as Agarkar gave Ashwin the nod to play Patel's backup. 

The legendary Test bowler could've still been confined to the reserves if not for a delay in Axar's recovery and progress from a hamstring niggle at the NCA, making the selectors pick him in the final squad. 

High chances are that the Tamil Nadu veteran will now pip fast-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur at No.8 as an assurance batter down the order while also playing an integral part of the spin attack for the first two matches in Chennai and versus Afghanistan on October 11 in Delhi, which also has the reputation of a dry surface.