India vs Australia: How R Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav fared in ODI series

A 66-run defeat to Australia in the third and final ODI in Rajkot may not be the ideal way to round off their preparations for the World Cup, but India have ticked a lot of boxes going into the quadrennial showpiece event that starts from 5 October. Certain stars like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer returned to action from injuries during the course of the 2023 Asia Cup and the Australia series that followed, and it’s not just that trio who made a return. With India resting senior players for the first two ODIs against Australia, and Axar Patel ruled out injured, Ravichandran Ashwin, who had last played an ODI in January 2022 before this series, and Washington Sundar were called up to the side. Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav were in focus during the just-concluded India vs Australia ODI series. Let’s now take a quick look at how each of them performed: Ravichandran Ashwin Ravichandran Ashwin was only brought into the India squad against Australia as a replacement for the injured Axar Patel. Axar had sustained a quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup, and eventually missed the final against Sri Lanka, with Washington Sundar replacing him. Ashwin played the first two ODIs against Australia. In the first match in Mohali, he finished with figures of 1/47 after bowling out his quota of 10 overs. However, he was largely unable to generate much turn, but in the second ODI in Indore, Ashwin returned with impressive figures of 3/41, creating an impact in the middle overs. Washington Sundar Washington Sundar was never in India’s World Cup plans, but along with Ashwin, the 23-year-old was also included in the squad to face Australia. Washington played just the one ODI against the Aussies, in Rajkot. Although he failed to collect any wicket, Washington was the most economical Indian bowler, finishing with figures of 0/48 from four overs. He would then go onto open the innings during India’s run-chase. However, he was dismissed for just 18 by Glenn Maxwell, after hitting a four and a six. Shreyas Iyer There were fitness concerns regarding Shreyas Iyer ahead of the ODI series against Australia. He missed the Asia Cup final due to a back spasm, but was included in the squad to face Australia. However, the Indian team management would have breathed a massive sigh of relief following his showing against Australia. While he was dismissed for just three runs in the first ODI in Mohali, Iyer followed it up with a century in Indore and a knock of 48 in Rajkot. Maybe, these are signs of good things to come from Iyer. Suryakumar Yadav Much like Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav showcased resurgence in his form. SKY’s consistency has been a talking point for long in the Team India camp, but he finally ended his barren run, in the series against Australia. Suryakumar notched up consecutive fifties in the first two ODIs, before being dismissed for eight in the third ODI. Yet, SKY’s presence adds balance and flexibility to the Indian batting lineup, so the Indian think-tank would hope SKY comes good in the World Cup.