IND vs AUS 2023: He has got the class, he has got the experience – Rohit Sharma on backing Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is delighted with the way Ravichandran Ashwin has performed in the first two ODI matches against Australia. Ashwin returned with figures of 1-47 in the opening game of the series at Mohali. The off-spinner didn’t look at his absolute best in his first spell but bounced back strongly in the second.

Ashwin ticked the right boxes in the second ODI, picking up 3-41 in the seven overs he bowled. The veteran off-spinner bamboozled the Australian batters with his variations and kept them puzzled.

Ashwin dismissed Marnus Labuschagne with a well-disguised carrom ball whereas he had David Warner and Josh Inglis LBW. The off-spinner has shown his class in the first two ODIs and with Axar Patel still not fully fit, Ashwin has made his case stronger for World Cup selection.

Rohit admitted that Ashwin brings a lot of experience to the table and he has been a match-winner for the team over the years.

“Yeah, yeah, that was I was speaking about. He has got the class, he has got the experience of playing the sport, and handling the pressure. It’s just that he hasn’t played ODIs in the last year or so but you can’t take away the class and the experience that the individual has.

“In the last couple of games, we saw how well he bowled. He has got a lot of variations up his sleeves and in case, there is a chance, we can look at a lot of things.

“The way things are at this point in time, it does well for us because we have got all the backups ready, we have given them enough game time, a lot of time in the middle. So, pretty much happy with how things have panned out in the last couple of weeks,” Rohit added.

Meanwhile, Rohit also revealed that only 13 players are available for selection in the final ODI as there are some sick players and some have been rested.

“We have got lot of players, who are sick and not available. A few players who have gone home due to personal issues. A few of the guys have been rested as well. We have got 13 players at this point in time.

“So look, Gill has been rested. Shami, Hardik and Shardul, they have all gone home. Hardik has been in home, again personal things. Axar is not available for this game. We have got only 13 players to choose from. There’s a bit of viral going around in the team, there’s a lot of uncertainty at this point, which we can’t help. But looking at the next few weeks, it’s important for us to look after the players and their well-being. It’s okay for them to be at home at this point in time. The reason is that we want everybody to be fresh,” he added.

The third ODI of the series will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Wednesday.