Why Ravichandran Ashwin is not playing ICC World Cup 2023, match 9 against Afghanistan?

India and Afghanistan are set to compete in match nine of the ongoing ODI World Cup on Wednesday, October 11 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was drafted into India's 15-member squad in place of the injured Axar Patel, bowled well against Australia in the previous game in Chennai. However, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner has been left out of the playing XI for the game against Afghanistan, and seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been picked instead.

The pitch in Delhi is expected to be a belter and batters might rule the roost. Therefore, while India started against Australia with Ashwin in the playing XI on the spin-friendly Chepauk track, they might have felt that Shardul's seam bowling would come in handy in Delhi. The Mumbai all-rounder also adds firepower with the bat in the lower order.

Afghanistan are also a much better batting side against spinners and that could be another reason behind Ashwin's exclusion. In the game against Australia, Ashwin bowled 10 overs for 34 runs and picked up the wicket of Cameron Green.

Shardul Thakur's numbers in 2023

The 31-year-old has blown hot and cold in 2023. He has the tendency of picking up important wickets, albeit at the cost of some runs. In 2023, he has played 13 ODIs before this game against Afghanistan and picked up 19 wickets at an average of 23.68 and a strike rate of 22.30. His economy rate is a high 6.35 but his ability to pick wickets and add crucial runs in the lower order makes him a utility cricketer for the former two-time ODI World Cup winners.

In India's recent three-match ODI series against Australia, Shardul played a couple of matches and went wicketless, conceding 113 runs in 14 overs. However, the Indian team management has backed him and the experienced campaigner will be eager to deliver the goods in his first ODI World Cup game.

Check Here: Live Updates India vs Afghanistan, 9th Match, CWC 2023