Should Ashwin Return for Bangladesh Face-off?: Batting Legend Has His Say on India's Playing XI

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is hoping to see Ravichandran Ashwin getting back to action when the men in blue take on Bangladesh in their next World Cup 2023 fixture. The hosts will look to continue their winning streak when they lock horns with the Shakib al Hasan-led side at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday. India have been undefeated so far in the tournament, registering three straight wins – against the likes of Australia, Afghanistan and arch-rivals Pakistan.

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Ahead of the Bangladesh fixture, Gavaskar said there could be a possibility of Ashwin coming in for Shardul Thakur. The veteran off-spinner has not played in the tournament since featuring in Team India’s campaign opener against the Aussies in Chennai where he picked up the wicket of Cameron Green.

“There could be a possibility of that happening (Ashwin playing against Bangladesh). If Shardul Thakur gets a breather, Ashwin could come in, keeping in mind the left-handers in the Bangladesh team,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“With Ashwin, it’s not just that he bowls only to left-handers, he is a top bowler, he bowls well to right-handers as well. He is a great bowler. He can operate on pitches that don’t generally assist the spinners. I think he is raring to be given an opportunity,” the batting legend added.

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The Indian team has been phenomenal in the ongoing tournament, showcasing class acts across departments. Gavaskar seems to be impressed with the ‘fearlessness’ with which the men in blue have been playing so far in the showpiece event.

“The way the Indian team has been playing, the way the Indian team has been showing resilience. More than anything else, I think the initiative and the fearlessness that the Indian team has been showing. That’s been so good to see. That is something that Bangladesh will have to counter,” said Gavaskar.

As far as India’s combination is concerned, it’s highly unlikely that the hosts would tinker with their playing XI in the game against Bangladesh. Addressing a press conference on the eve of the game in Pune, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said the team has taken the tough decision to bench players of the caliber of Shami, Suryakumar and Ravichandran Ashwin but the choices have been keeping in mind the best interest of the side.

“It is important to maintain the start. As of now, there is no discussion of rotation from our point of view. We want to carry this momentum to the next game as well,” Mhambrey told the media.

The Indian bowling coach acknowledged that it is difficult to see a quality fast bowler like Shami not getting a game so far in the World Cup, adding that the team management has had conversations with the player.

“Honestly, it is never easy to see. But right now the conversations are on, we had a clear chat with him. Whenever we select a squad the message from us is clear that we pick a team we feel is the best for that wicket,” Mhambrey said.

“Sometimes you will miss out, someone like him is missing out, someone like Ash (Ashwin) will miss out and I think that is the communication we had with him (and) we were very clear,” he added.