Australia series is no trial for Ravi Ashwin, just an opportunity for him in this format: Rahul Dravid

In the world of cricket, few names resonate as profoundly as Ravichandran Ashwin. His exceptional skills on the field, both with bat and ball, make him a great cricketer.  Recently, Ashwin made a triumphant return to India's ODI team against Australia, showcasing his multifaceted prowess.

During the game, Ashwin displayed his versatility, bowling a tight spell of 10 overs, conceding 47 runs, and securing a crucial wicket. However, it was his post-match gesture that truly endeared him to fans. Despite not getting a chance to bat in the first ODI against the Aussies, the veteran all-rounder chose to engage in batting practice in the nets, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to improving his game.

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The significance of all-rounders in the Indian cricket team cannot be overstated. The team management and selectors have emphasized the importance of a robust batting lineup. Ashwin, with his Test centuries to his name, aims to prove his mettle not just as a bowler but as a formidable batter as well.

India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, shed light on the inclusion of Ashwin in the ODI squad, stating, "Someone like Ravichandran Ashwin provides experience and also contributes with the bat at No. 8. This series is no trial for Ashwin; this is just an opportunity for him in this format," as quoted by NDTV. Dravid's words underline the confidence the team has in Ashwin's abilities.

In the first ODI, India's captain, KL Rahul, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, successfully chasing down a target of 277 runs with five wickets in hand. He emphasized the importance of partnerships and rotating the strike, reflecting the team's collective effort.

With this victory, India takes a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series, setting the stage for an exciting clash against Australia at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on September 24.

“We only played five bowlers, so they had to bowl 10 overs. After Shubman got out, it was a bit tricky with the set batter out. But managed to build a good partnership with Surya, need to put myself in such challenging situations."

"We (he and Surya) kept talking about hitting good cricket shots, rotating the strike and this is something all our batters are working on. We didn't want to get bogged down, we were always on par so we wanted to take it deep," said KL Rahul.