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'Ashwin Out, Shami In'- Sehwag Puts Out India's Blueprint For Afghanistan Game

image-lnj0bmk9R Ashwin celebrating a dismissal vs Australia [AP]

Virender Sehwag expects India to rest premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for their next match of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Wednesday (October 11) in Delhi. The swashbuckling former India opener anticipated the Rahul Dravid-led team management to consider bringing in an extra seamer for their clash against Asian dark horses Afghanistan. 

Ashwin was an understated contributor to India's impressive six-wicket victory in their opening game versus Australia with a threatening but largely unrewarded spell of 1/34 off his 10 overs on a dry surface in Chennai. 

However, the experienced bowler could be out on the sidelines for the following match on a flatter deck in a tactical move, especially considering that the Afghans wouldn't prefer the prospect of facing an extra seamer in the Indian attack. 

Aware of their next opposition, coach Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma could ponder over replacing Ashwin with one of utility fast-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur or frontline pacer Mohammed Shami. Sehwag opined in favour of Shami to fill the third seamer's void and backed India's top 7 batters to do the job without needing the cover and assurance of a capable No.8. 


Sehwag calls for Ashwin-Shami swap

Speaking to Cricbuzz after Ashwin's encouraging spell in his comeback World Cup outing 12 years after the 2011 edition of the competition, Sehwag prophesied India resting the great off-spinner for tactical reasons on a flatter surface in Delhi and bring in the extra pacer in Shami.

The ex-India veteran cited the"wonderful form"  Shami has been in to support his case for inclusion above Ashwin. The skiddy right-arm quick, who is the immediate backup to India's preferred new-ball duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, took an exceptional five-fer during the recent home series against Australia. 

"I think Ravichandran Ashwin will be rested. Mohammed Shami has been in wonderful form, and he even took a fifer against Australia. This is a different wicket, and the ground is also smaller. Also, there is the age factor with Ashwin. So, India will look to save him for the big matches."

Delhi played host to the highest One-Day International team score in World Cup history when South Africa belted the hapless Sri Lankans out of the park earlier in the competition. The Temba Bavuma-led side hammered the Lankan Lions for a whopping 428/5 with centuries from Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.