Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin. Image Credits: Twitter

MSK Prasad, former Indian Chief Selector, expressed his lack of surprise regarding India’s 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup which will be hosted by India after 12 years. However, he raised a concern about the absence of an off-spinner in the team for the mega event on home soil.

Ajit Agarkar has announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup. The squad comprises players from the Asia Cup squad, except Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, and reserve-keeper Sanju Samson, who were excluded. Additionally, experienced Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal were not considered for selection.

Speaking to Revsportz, MSK Prasad revealed that he was not much surprised in the squad with Shreyas Iyer and Kl Rahul returning to the team after a long-standing injury. He believes that the team management has the flexibility to make changes to the squad until the end of this month. Prasad also thinks that Ravichandran Ashwin could have been a valuable addition to the team, especially in sub-continental conditions.

“No Surprises, The Only thing we’re a little concerned about how fit is Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul but after going through what I heard from the media and the other resources they’re fit and fine and we still have an option because maybe by the end of this month in case of some injury or some concerns, we still have an option in Tilak Varma or Sanju Samson. It is a wonderful squad and it has got a good balance”.

“My only concern is the lack of an off-spinner, Someone like Ravichandran Ashwin could have been very handy because of his experience that too playing the whole World Cup in the Asian conditions and every team is full of left-handers, so he would have been a little more handy. Otherwise, the rest all the squad looks absolutely fantastic,” MSK Prasad said.

The majority of players from different countries in this World Cup are left-handed, so having him on the team would have been very useful. However, the selectors have chosen Axar Patel over him for the prestigious event because he provides a better all-round option for the side.

Ravichandran Ashwin found himself out of the limited over cricket due to poor performances in white ball cricket, after which he made a comeback into the Indian side only in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup, but was not considered for the ODI cricket.