Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been brought in to replace the injured left-arm spinner Axar Patel on Thursday.
Axar Patel has been sidelined due to a thigh injury that prevented his recovery in time for the prestigious tournament on home soil.
Ravichandran Ashwin, at 37 years of age, has made a remarkable comeback to the One Day International (ODI) team. His impressive performance against Australia earlier this month, where he secured four crucial wickets in two games, earned him a spot in the squad after an absence of over 18 months.
Ashwin's inclusion is particularly significant because he is the only specialist off-spinner in India's 15-man squad. Alongside star batsman Virat Kohli, he is one of the two players who were part of India's triumphant 2011 World Cup-winning campaign.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, emphasised the team's clarity regarding their World Cup squad and strategy, stating, "When we talk about the 15, we are very clear what we want. We are not confused; we know where we are headed as a team. It's a team sport, and we want everyone to come and play their part - that's how we win championships. It's about looking after the body and trying to stay fresh for the next one and a half months."
Ravichandran Ashwin boasts a formidable World Cup record, having claimed 13 wickets in eight matches during India's journey to the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup in Australia. However, he was notably absent from the squad for the 2019 edition in England.
On the other hand, Axar Patel, a spin-bowling all-rounder, sustained a left quadriceps strain during the recent Asia Cup, causing him to miss the final match.
With the World Cup set to kick off on October 8 in Chennai, India's squad reshuffle reflects their commitment to fielding the best possible team for the competition, with Ashwin's inclusion adding a seasoned spin option to the lineup.
