Back in reckoning, Ravichandran Ashwin set to play all three ODIs against Australia | Cricket-world-cup News

All eyes were on R Ashwin on Thursday when the veteran off-spinner walked out to bowl in the nets. In the second and third nets, two left-handed batters Ishan Kishan and Washington Sundar were facing throw downs from Nuwan Seneviratne and fielding coach T Dilip. In the first net, local boy Shubman Gill was being tested the toe crushers from Jasprit Bumrah. Ashwin walked straight to coach Rahul Dravid, and after a brief chat, started off bowling to Gill.
One of the interesting takeaways from India’s net session on Thursday was that both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were seen bowling in tandem, first to Gill and then to Kishan. It might be a sign that the duo will be in the playing XI.
Dravid also hinted that Ashwin will play all three games of the series.
Indian players R Ashwin with Ravindra Jadeja during practice session at PCA IS Bindra Cricket Stadium in Mohali. Express Photo Kamleshwar Singh
“This is not a trial for Ashwin, said Dravid before explaining the reasons for his inclusion. “Having someone of Ashwin’s experience to come back is always good for us. Someone like Ashwin provides you that experience, that ability to also contribute with the bat at No. 8 and someone we always thought of in case, there are certain opportunities opened, he is someone who is definitely a part of your plans and someone of his experience, I know has not played a lot of ODI cricket of late but someone of his experience can do that really well,” he said.
Since the IPL, Ashwin featured in the Tests against West Indies and has been busy playing the First Division tournament in Chennai. And 10 days ago, he reported to the NCA for a training session and on Tuesday played a 50-over fixture in Chennai to be match-ready. “It’s a good chance for him to test himself because he has not played the 50 over cricket for a long time. I will not say that for him it is a trial or anything, we know his quality. This is a chance for him to get the taste of this format and we just want to give him an opportunity to play in two or three games,” said Dravid.Most Read
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The selection of Ashwin — who has played only two ODIs in the last six years — with the World Cup around the corner has raised eyebrows. But he still remains the best off-spinner in India. The net session on Thursday was another example of it.
There were oohs and aahs when Ashwin bowled to Gill. There were a couple of poor deliveries as well, but there was an immediate reaction from the senior operator. After a while, Ashwin turned his attention towards Kishan. Unlike his most likely opening partner for Friday, Kishan didn’t give much respect and straightaway used his feet and played a couple of lofted shots against Ashwin.
The wily fox Ashwin is, he changed the angle and Kishan was done round his legs, not once but twice. This was probably the only time when Ashwin smiled, and received a tap on the back from batting coach Vikram Rathour. After bowling for an hour, Ashwin padded up and took a few throwdowns from Rathour.