• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the Indian side for the third ODI against Australia.

  • Ravichandran Ashwin, Shubman Gill and three other players have been excluded from the playing XI for the final game in Rajkot.

IND vs AUS: Netizens come up with mixed reactions as India rest Ravichandran Ashwin for the third ODI
Ravichandran Ashwin against Australia (Image source: Twitter)

Table of Contents

  • Ravichandran Ashwin’s return to ODIs

    • India are playing the final game of the three-match ODI series against Australia at Rajkot. The Men in Blue have already clinched the series from the Aussies by winning the first two games at Mohali and Indore, respectively.

    The third ODI saw the return of India’s regular captain, Rohit Sharma, alongside Virat Kohli and spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav. These three stalwarts had been rested for the initial two matches, following their outstanding contributions to India’s triumphant Asia Cup 2023 campaign.

    While the comeback of these seasoned players was eagerly awaited, it was notable that some other prominent names will be missing from the playing XI in this encounter. Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur are among the notable absentees.

    Also READ: IND vs AUS 2023 – Here’s why Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur are not playing today’s game

    Another player whose absence garnered significant attention was the talented off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The Chennai-born cricketer made his ODI comeback after a considerable hiatus and left a lasting impression with his exceptional bowling performances. He was instrumental in India’s success, claiming an impressive tally of four wickets in the previous two games of the series.

    In the meantime, Twitterati came up with mixed thoughts on the Indian team’s decision to rest Ashwin for the third ODI.

    Here are some reactions:

    Ravichandran Ashwin’s return to ODIs

    It’s worth highlighting that Ashwin’s return to ODI cricket was marked by the fact that his last appearance in this format was back in January 2022, when India faced South Africa. His presence in the series against Australia carried weight, as it was seen as a strong indicator of the 37-year-old’s bid to secure a spot in the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

    The selection dynamics became even more intriguing due to the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of spin all-rounder Axar Patel in the World Cup squad. Axar’s availability is doubtful as he’s grappling with an injury concern.

    Also READ: Asian Games 2023 – Nepal’s Kushal Malla breaks David Miller and Rohit Sharma’s record of fastest century in T20 internationals

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    CATEGORY: Australia India Ravichandran Ashwin

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    AVIRAL SHUKLA
    Aviral is a passionate cricket writer with an unbridled love for sports. Armed with a Master's degree in Journalism, Aviral possesses a unique blend of expertise in the realm of cricket and exceptional writing and communication skills.With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Aviral has crafted insightful articles, match analyses, and opinion pieces that resonate with cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His ability to encapsulate the drama, strategy, and emotions of cricket matches in his writing sets him apart in the world of sports journalism.Aviral's dedication to cricket extends beyond his writing; he's always eager to engage with fellow cricket lovers. You can reach out to Aviral at aviral.shukla@crickettimes.com for collaborations, queries, or just to share your thoughts on the game. Additionally, you can connect with him on Twitter via his handle, @aviralcric, where he actively shares his insights, opinions, and the latest updates from the cricketing world.