India vs Australia: 'Only reason he has been picked is because..,' Amit Mishra on R Ashwin's inclusion for ODIs

The only reason why Ravichandran Ashwin was not picked in the India ODI side so far was because of his fielding, believes Amit Mishra.

Ashwin, who has not played an ODI since January 2022, was included in the India squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. His addition comes in the aftermath of Axar Patel’s injury, after the latter teared his muscle during the just-concluded Asia Cup.

Also read: R Sridhar speaks on First Sports show regarding Ashwin’s inclusion for IND vs AUS ODIs

Amit Mishra said while Ashwin is a ‘quality bowler’, Ashwin is there in the side as a wicket-taking option.

“Ravichandran Ashwin is undoubtedly a quality bowler and a wicket-taker, but remember this is not a 20-over game. It is of 50 overs. You have to bowl for 10 overs and field for 40 overs and might have to bat as well. No doubt he has been around for so long, has been a wicket-taker as well, but there is that matter of fielding as well and that is why a young player might be picked,” Mishra told the Hindustan Times.

“The only reason he has been picked is because if a spinner gets injured, then the team needs to have a wicket-taking option, which Ashwin brings. Ashwin has got an edge as an off-spin option, as India already has two left-arm spinners and a wrist-spinner in Kuldeep Yadav,” he added.

Amit Mishra added that the upcoming series gives a chance for Team India to assess Ashwin’s wicket-taking abilities.

“Indian team will be looking at how Ashwin will be bowling against Australia, and to assess if he still has the wicket-taking abilities in this format. The only reason why he is not in the team is because of his fielding and right-handed batting ability.

Mishra believes that Washington Sundar, who is also part of the squad against Australia, provides an advantage in the side thanks to his fielding.

“Jadeja and Axar are both lefties. Washington is a young player and has shown wicket-taking abilities apart from being a batting option. Plus, he provides an advantage with his fielding, something which holds importance in ODIs,” added the 40-year-old.

Till date, Ashwin has played 113 ODIs and taken 151 wickets, while also having scored 707 runs.

The first ODI will be played in Mohali on Friday (22 September), followed by the second in Indore on Sunday. The teams will then travel to Rajkot for the third and final ODI on 27 September.

India begin their World Cup campaign, also against Australia, in Chennai on 8 October.