Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a comeback to the Indian ODI setup after 21 months and will likely be taking part in his third ODI World Cup. The 37-year-old changed injured Axar Patel within the squad after the previous did not get well in time from his left quadriceps pressure suffered throughout Asia Cup 2023. Lately, Ashwin was reminded of the 2 sixes hit towards him by former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi throughout Asia Cup 2014.
Notably, with ten wanted of the final over, Ashwin was bowling towards Pakistan with India needing only one wicket to win. Nevertheless, Afridi received the sport for his facet by smashing Ashwin for 2 back-to-back sixes serving to his facet chase down the goal of 246 in Mirpur. A Pakistan fan reminded Ashwin of the 2 large hits by Afridi on X. Nevertheless, in a heartwarming second, the Indian spinner ended up appreciating the Pakistan cricketer for his stupendous putting skill.
“Shahid Afridi Nonetheless remembers these two sixes,” a fan had written in reply to one in all Ashwin’s posts on X. “These had been actually good pictures man. Actually admired him as an incredible ball striker,” wrote the India cricketer in reply.
These had been actually good pictures man.
Actually admired him as an incredible ball striker👌— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2023
Notably, Ashwin was the choose of the bowlers in that recreation having picked up 3/44 in 9.3 overs however ended up conceding two sixes from Afridi (34* off 18) within the decisive final over which led to India’s loss.
The Chennai-born cricketer not too long ago shone on his ODI comeback within the ODI collection vs Australia as he completed because the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the collection having picked 4 wickets in two innings at a median of twenty-two and an financial system of 5.17.
Ashwin to play his third ODI World Cup
The veteran spinner will carry his huge expertise heading into the ODI World Cup as he was part of the 2011 and 2015 World Cups as effectively. He has picked 17 wickets from ten matches performed within the mega occasion at a median of 24.88 and an financial system of 4.36.
In the meantime, after their first warm-up recreation vs England obtained washed out, India will subsequent lock horns towards Netherlands of their second warm-up fixture on October 03 in Thiruvananthapuram. The Rohit Sharma-led facet will additional face Australia of their opening league fixture on Sunday, October 08 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.