Ashwin roped in as last-minute replacement for Axar in WC squad

Having failed to recover in time from a left quadriceps strain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced off-spinning all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin as a replacement for Axar Patel. Axar sustained a severe injury during the Asia Cup Super Four clash against Bangladesh and subsequently has been ruled out. 

While Axar was named in the squad for the third ODI in Rajkot, the all-rounder did not recover in time to make the cut. Ashwin was at his impressive best in the second ODI in Indore, where he ended with figures of 3/41. India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, also spoke highly of the all-rounder, stating that his experience is irreplaceable. 

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“When we talk about the 15 we are very clear what we want,” Rohit said. “We are not confused, we know where we are headed as a team. 

“It's a team sport and we want everyone to come and play their part - that's how we win championships. It's about looking after the body and try and stay fresh for the next one and half months.”

Ashwin is the only player apart from Virat Kohli to be involved in India’s last World Cup win in 2011. India open their World Cup campaign on October 8 (Sunday) against Australia in Chennai. Hardik Pandya is the vice-captain for the upcoming 50-over global event. 

India World Cup squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.