India's ODI World Cup Dilemma: Ravichandran Ashwin or Axar Patel for final spot?

The deadline has arrived for all 10 participants to make final changes to their 15-man squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. September 28 is the last date to lock the squads of teams competing in India for the premier 50-over tournament to be held from October 5 to November 19. The hosts are one of the teams in dilemma after all-rounder Axar Patel got injured in the recently concluded 2023 Asia Cup.

While announcing the World Cup squad a few weeks ago, the team management had made it clear that Axar would be in the squad if he recovered in time. If not, all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar are the two options they put forward. However, rumours are strong that Ashwin will get the nod ahead of Sundar and the veteran spinner proved that he hasn't lost his rhythm with his impressive performance against Australia in the recently concluded ODI series.

In the first ODI in Mohali, Ashin could pick up just one wicket for 47 runs but in the second match in Indore, which was batting paradise, he claimed three wickets for 41 runs in 7 overs. In fact, he was the most economical bowler in the match (5.9). However, India rested the 37-year-old in the final ODI and brought Sundar into the line-up, giving the opener's role alongside Rohit Sharma. The right-arm spinner impressed with an economical spell, conceding just 48 runs in 10 overs on a batter's friendly pitch.

We are not confused: Rohit Sharma

In the post-match presentation on Wednesday, India skipper Rohit was asked if will India make a change to their World Cup squad. However, the veteran opener admitted that there is no confusion and the management is clear about the final 15 members.

“When we talk about the 15 we are very clear what we want. 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 try and stay fresh for the next one and half months,” Rohit said after India's 66-run defeat at Rajkot.

India's squad for ODI World Cup (initially announced): 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, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav