India has been forced to make a last-minute change to their 15-member squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Axar Patel, who sustained a left quadriceps strain during India's Asia Cup Super Four match against Bangladesh, has failed to recover in time for the World Cup. Consequently, the spin-bowling all-rounder was absent from the Asia Cup final.
In his place, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named. Ashwin made a notable return to ODI cricket in the recently concluded series against Australia, where he took four wickets in two matches.
Although Axar was conditionally named in the squad for the final ODI pending his fitness, he missed the game in Rajkot, which India lost by 66 runs.
India is relying on Ashwin's experience to fill the void left by Axar. Additionally, Ashwin provides an off-spinning option that was previously lacking in India's World Cup squad, which could be crucial as pitches deteriorate during the 46-day tournament.
The 37-year-old also has the experience of playing on the big stage, having featured in the 2011 and 2015 editions of the World Cup for India. In the tournament Down Under, Ashwin took 13 wickets in eight matches during India's run to the semi-final.
Rohit Sharma emphasised after the three-match ODI series against Australia that India has a clear plan for the 15-member squad for the World Cup, and any changes will not disrupt their approach to the tournament.
"When we talk about the 15, we are very clear about what we want," the captain stated. "We are not confused; we know where we are headed as a team.
"It's a team sport, and we want everyone to come and play their part—that's how we win championships. It's about looking after the body and trying to stay fresh for the next one and a half months."
Despite Axar's absence from the World Cup, India has nearly a full-strength squad available, with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah all making successful comebacks from long-term injuries.
All three stars have made significant contributions in the games leading up to the tournament. Rahul announced his comeback with a remarkable century against arch-rival Pakistan in the Super Four Asia Cup encounter. Iyer also scored a century in the second ODI against Australia.
Bumrah has shown glimpses of returning to his best, including a fiery spell against Pakistan in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup. The ace pacer put on a death bowling clinic against Australia in the final ODI after conceding runs in his first two spells.
India will commence their World Cup campaign on October 8 against five-time champions Australia in Chennai. Prior to the tournament, Rohit Sharma's team will play two warm-up matches, the first against England on September 30th, followed by one against the Netherlands on October 3rd.
India's World Cup squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
