Ravichandran Ashwin joins India's 15-member World Cup squad as replacement for injured Axar Patel

In a last-minute change, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been included in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming 50-overs World Cup. Ashwin’s inclusion comes as a replacement for the injured Axar Patel and was finalized just hours before the September 28 deadline.

36-year-old Ashwin was already part of India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia, where he made an impression by claiming four wickets in two games, including a notable 3/41 in Indore. With Axar Patel yet to recover from a left quadriceps strain, which requires an additional three weeks of rehabilitation, Ashwin’s return to the ODI team was deemed necessary.

The confirmation of Ashwin’s inclusion came when he joined the Indian team for training in Guwahati, while Axar Patel was absent. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently announced the change officially, stating, “Axar Patel has failed to recover in time for the World Cup after sustaining a left quadriceps strain during India’s Asia Cup Super Four encounter against Bangladesh. The spin-bowling all-rounder missed the final of the Asia Cup as a result.”

With this development, Ashwin is set to participate in his third 50-overs World Cup, bolstering India’s spin-bowling options as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.