Why did Rohit Sharma include Ashwin in the ODI team, former selector gave the important reason

The Indian team was announced on 18 September for the 3-match ODI series (IND vs AUS) against Australia starting from 22 September. All the key players have been rested for the first two ODIs, while these players will return in the third ODI. One name included in the squad caught everyone’s attention and that name was that of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin’s selection surprised many people but former Indian selector Saba Karim believes that in the eyes of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the veteran off-spinner is a match winner and that is why he has been selected.

Ravichandran Ashwin has not played any match in ODI format for a long time nor was he selected for Asia Cup 2023. However, now he has got a place for the Australia series. The right-arm off-spinner will try to perform well before the World Cup, so that he can stake his claim if Axar Patel is out.

Saba Karim feels that Ashwin’s aggressive attitude will come in handy. During a discussion on Jio Cinema, Saba said, I think Rohit Sharma sees Ravichandran Ashwin as a match-winner and he is very clear about the kind of attitude he wants to show in white-ball cricket. Now that the World Cup is coming, he understands the dynamics of ODI cricket very well and knows that he has to pick players who have that kind of aggressive mentality.

Rohit Sharma has brought Ravichandran Ashwin for aggressive mentality – Saba Karim

The former Indian wicketkeeper batsman feels that Rohit wants five attacking options in the bowling department and that is why he has selected Ashwin. Saba Karim further said, he also knows that in his bowling lineup he needs to have at least five wicket-taking options out of six and if he has Ashwin in the eleven, then he is the attacking option available. If you look at the reserve players, they all have an aggressive mentality. So, I think Rohit Sharma wants to continue this aggressive approach that we saw the Indian team play in the Asian Challenge.

Let us tell you that Ravichandran Ashwin is also desperate for a good performance. For this reason, before the Australia series, he will take part in a 50-over match in a local league in Tamil Nadu so that he can get into the rhythm with the white ball.