Ashwin gets a look-in, just in time

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN MAY eventually make it to the World Cup squad after being selected for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, ostensibly as cover for the injured Axar Patel. The champion off-spinner, whose white-ball appearances for India have been few and far between in recent times, is part of the 15-member outfit for the first two games, and one of the two reserves for the third match of the preparatory series.

- TUSHAR BHADURI

India play Australia at Mohali (September 22), Indore (September 24) and Rajkot (September 27).

Seniors players like skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav will sit out the first two matches, before the provisional World Cup XI gets together for the third game in Rajkot. KL Rahul will lead the side in the first two matches. While Ashwin is still not officially part of India's World Cup squad, changes can be made till September 28, after which any alteration will need the International Cricket Council's approval.

Ashwin, one of the greatest matchwinners for India in Test history, had been considered surplus to requirements in ODI and T20I cricket, but may make it to the home World Cup at the eleventh hour. Fellow off-spinner Washington Sundar has also been included in the mix and even played Sunday's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, without getting to bat or bowl, but is not likely to leapfrog Ashwin in the pecking order if the need arises.

Axar injured his hamstring during the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Colombo, and even though the selectors and team management are hopeful that he will recover in time, Ashwin was considered a viable option if a position fell vacant.

Rohit was confident that Ashwin's experience will ensure that if he is indeed called up, lack of recent white-ball cricket won't hamper his performance.