Ravichandran Ashwin picked for Australia ODIs; KL Rahul to captain in first two games

India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been picked for a three-match ODI series against Australia before the all-important World Cup. Skipper Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Hardik Pandya have been rested for the first two ODIs and thus KL Rahul, who made a fine return in the Asia Cup, will lead the team.

The selectors have picked the same squad for the third ODI that was selected for the Asia Cup final plus Ravichandran Ashwin.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav have also been rested for the first two matches. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has said he doesn’t want to expose Kuldeep Yadav a lot before the ODI showpiece.

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been picked for the first two matches whereas Shreyas Iyer, who could not play in the Asia Cup from the Super Fours stage onwards, has also retained his place in the squad.

India squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj, M Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar

Squad for 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj, M Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar

The three ODIs against Australia will be played on September 22, 24 and 27. Meanwhile, Axar Patel was ruled out of the Asia Cup final after suffering a quadriceps strain in the Super Fours stage match against Bangladesh. However, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar has confirmed that Patel will be fine for the World Cup.

“What’s made known to us with Axar’s injury is that he should be okay. So that’s a call we’ll make once we know that, but at least it leaves us with options if they get games now, and gives the team management options if they need to go that way. If the need arises, we’ll look at it at that stage but there’s no need to speculate right now or make any decisions right now because Axar, we’re hoping that he’s fit,” said Agarkar in a press conference.

Rohit Sharma said Ravichandran Ashwin brings a lot of experience to the table and thus he has been kept in the fray ahead of the ODI World Cup.