‘Ab jyada Khichdi nahi banao please’ – Fans react as Ravichandran Ashwin or Washington Sundar reportedly can make India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad

On 18 September 2023, Team India’s squad for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against Australia was announced and the veteran spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin made a comeback. He last played an ODI for India in January 2022 and hence, seeing him making a comeback in the 50-over format just before the upcoming ODI World Cup left some fans surprised.

Now, reports in the Times of India have come out that he or Washington Sundar might get included in the final 15-member squad of Team India for the upcoming World Cup if Axar Patel does not get fit in time. Axar got injured during the Bangladesh clash in the recently concluded Asia Cup and hence, due to multiple injuries, he got riled out of the final. Now, for the first two matches against the Aussies, he is not a part of the team but he can make a comeback in the third game, depending on his fitness.  

Ravichandran Ashwin was not a part of the 2019 ODI World Cup

In the Asia Cup final, Sundar was already added to the squad and the playing XI as a replacement for Axar. However, he did not get any chance to bat or bowl. Meanwhile, 28 September is the last date till any team can make changes to their World Cup squad. So, all eyes will be on Axar’s progress in the recovery process if he makes it on or before 28 September. India’s series against the Aussies will begin on 22 September and it will finish on 27 September. 

Regarding Ashwin’s selection, while speaking to media on a virtual session, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar said: “There are couple of guys anyways, him and Washington. Look basically, what is being made known to us about Axar’s injury is that he should be okay and call we will make it once we know that but it leaves us with option to check these guys if they need to go that way. If the need arises, we will look at that way but I don’t think there is any need to speculate right now because we are hoping that Axar is fit.” 

Here is how fans have reacted:

https://twitter.com/arvindKejri420/status/1703980807331926276

https://twitter.com/Sanjana_Jii/status/1703978405052760171