'Not a 20-over game': Amit Mishra reveals 'only reason' why Ashwin is not selected in ODIs

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has been the most debated topic among the Indian cricket team fans in recent times. Ashwin was picked for the India vs Australia three-match ODI series ahead of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 next month. Ashwin is not the part of Indian 15-member provisional World Cup squad, however, his inclusion in the team for the IND vs AUS ODI series has opened the gates for him to get an entry into India's ODI World Cup squad. 

3 things you need to know 

• R Ashwin is known for his records and milestones in Test cricket 
• Ashwin is the number one ranked Test bowler 
• R Ashwin has played a total of 113 ODI matches for the Indian cricket team 

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Amit Mishra gives hard-hitting opinion on Ashwin's exclusion from ODIs

Indian cricket team leg spinner who is also part of the expert panel of the official broadcaster of the IND vs AUS ODI series Jio Cinema gave a hard-hitting take on R Ashwin's exclusion from the white ball format till now, Mishra believes that Ashwin is a quality and wicket-taking bowler. However, in a 50-over game, the players need to be on the field for 40 overs and also bat if needed. Mishra believed that it would have been R Ashwin's fielding which had kept him out of the Indian ODI side. Amit Mishra said: 

Ashwin is undoubtedly a quality bowler and a wicket-taker, but remember this is not a 20-over game. It is of 50 overs. You have to bowl for 10 overs and field for 40 overs and might have to bat as well. No doubt he has been around for so long, has been a wicket-taker as well, but there is that matter of fielding as well and that is why a young player might be picked.

The only reason he has been picked is because if a spinner gets injured, then the team needs to have a wicket-taking option, which Ashwin brings. Ashwin has got an edge as an off-spin option, as India already has two left-arm spinners and a wrist-spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. 

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Will R Ashwin get a place in India's ODI World Cup squad? 

As per the ICC rules, the Indian cricket team can make changes to their ODI World Cup 2023 squad until September 28. Ashwin is a clever bowler and also plays with the batsman's mind to get him out. The Indian team has picked a handful of spin-bowling all-rounders in the name of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the CWC 2023 squad. Ashwin does not have much pleasing record with the bat in ODIs but knows how to build partnerships and also at times can also play a cameo knock which could prove to be essential in the team's win.