'Ready and will give my 100 percent': R Ashwin gears up for potential World Cup call

Indian cricket fans received a dose of both good and bad news recently, as the BCCI announced its 15-member preliminary squad for the ODI World Cup. The squad was unveiled earlier this month during the Asia Cup campaign in Sri Lanka, and it came with an unusual twist – no stand-by players were named. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar affirmed that the team management had no plans to make changes unless a player gets injured.

3 things you need to know

• India will begin their ODI World Cup campaign on October 8
• India will face 5-time champions Australia in their first match
• India are aiming to end their ICC title drought, having last won in 2011

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However, just ahead of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, India were hit with a major setback. Spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, who had been contributing significantly to the team's performances, was ruled out due to a left quadriceps strain. While the extent of his injury remains undisclosed, the BCCI confirmed that it occurred during India's Super Four match against Bangladesh.

Can Ashwin make ODI comeback?

In the midst of this setback, senior cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his willingness to make a comeback in the ODI format. Ashwin last played an ODI for India in January 2022 during the South Africa tour. Despite limited appearances in the build-up to the World Cup, Ashwin made his presence felt in India's T20I squad for the 2021 and 2022 World Cups.

Ashwin's commitment to the team was evident, when he said on his YouTube channel: "I have been playing for the last 14-15 years for Team India. I have had my great moments. I have had my fair share of failures too. But I have tattooed Indian cricket close to my heart. If they require my service even tomorrow, I will be ready and will give my 100 percent."

Shubman Gill downplayed concerns about Axar's injury, terming it "temporary and nothing to worry about." Meanwhile, BCCI promptly named Washington Sundar as Axar's replacement for the Asia Cup final. This decision was made with the understanding that Sundar is also part of the Asian Games squad, scheduled to take place later this month in Hangzhou, China.