India’s team was unveiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Before the World Cup, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made his 20-month absence from the ODI team official. Along with him, the roster has also been expanded to add all-rounder Washinton Sundar as a replacement for Axar Patel, who was unable to play in the Asia Cup 2023 championship game owing to a left quadriceps issue.
Kuldeep Yadav, who won the Asia Cup Player of the Series award, missed the first two games. During the continental tournament, the left-arm spinner recorded nine wickets from four innings, with an average of 11.44 and an economy of 3.61. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar lauded Kuldeep as India’s trump card going into the World Cup after his spectacular return to the Indian team.
He is a man with a unique skill set, and he is currently displaying that skill set on the field. I spent a few years playing with him in the IPL. He is currently one of India’s strongest cards.
He clearly presents a challenge for the majority of teams right now, according to Ajit Agarkar, who spoke at the news conference.
Since 2022, Kuldeep has taken 43 wickets from 23 innings for an average of 18.93 and an economy rate of 4.70. He has also recorded three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. The left-arm spinner, who experienced the worst years of his career in 2020 and 2021, has made an incredible return to the squad.
The first two ODIs against Australia were skipped by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
In addition to Kuldeep, other players who will miss the opening two ODIs against Australia (which will be played on September 22 and 24) include captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya. In Rohit’s place, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been added to the team to start the innings.
The third one-day international of the trip, which will be India’s final match before the World Cup in 2023, will be played on September 27 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot with all of the players returning. At Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the Men in Blue will open their campaign against Australia on October 8.