Ravichandran Ashwin is eager to secure a place in India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad, and he is displaying unwavering determination to seize any opportunity that comes his way. With the highly anticipated event just days away, Ashwin's commitment is evident.
This was evident when he invited India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, to join him for a late-night batting practice session immediately after his team's impressive five-wicket victory over Australia in an ODI match held in Mohali on Friday. Ashwin's actions clearly demonstrate his dedication and drive to excel in the upcoming World Cup.
Given the harsh weather conditions that marked the start of the 1st ODI between India and Australia, and with only a day's break before the teams reconvene for the 2nd match, it was crucial for the players to prioritize rest and recovery. However, Ashwin had no time to spare for rest.
Despite the circumstances, Ashwin, fully equipped and determined, dedicated his time to honing his skills under the gleaming floodlights. This display of commitment left even the esteemed broadcasters, Abhishek Nayar and Mark Waugh, astounded.
“How cool is that?” exclaimed Nayar on camera. “He (Ashwin) is batting right in the centre, he’s got a net out. And that’s where the support staff really works hard. It’s past 10, it’s late and they are still going. He’s got Rahul Dravid at square leg, Vikram Rathour at slips, Mark Waugh at fine leg, so it’s a terrific part of the preparation. I’m sure the management has told him to work on his batting.”
Ashwin was not selected in India's 15-man squad for the World Cup. However, an injury to Axar Patel has opened up a potential vacancy if the all-rounder fails to recover in time for the tournament.
Ashwin has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Axar, with even captain Rohit Sharma fully supporting the veteran player. It is worth noting that Ashwin's last One Day International (ODI) match before Mohali dates back to January 2022.
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