India vs Australia: R Ashwin isn't on trial, could play in two or three matches, says Rahul Dravid

Ravichandran Ashwin is back in India’s ODI squad after more than a year and the question on everyone’s mind is whether will he play in the first match against Australia on Friday. Ashwin last played an ODI in January 2022, but has been called up to the India squad after all-rounder Axar Patel picked up a hamstring injury in the Asia Cup 2023 which India won by beating Sri Lanka in the final. IND vs AUS ODI Series: All you need to know Ashwin is not part of India’s Cricket World Cup squad . However, a lot of experts feel that the off-spinner should be part of India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup given his experience and ability to pick wickets. The Tamil Nadu cricketer can also prove to be a handy batter down the order. India coach Rahul Dravid has clarified that the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia is not a “trial” for Ashwin and that the off-spinner could play in “two or three” games. “This is not a trial for Ashwin," Dravid said at the pre-match press conference. “Having someone of Ashwin’s experience to come back is always good for us. Someone like Ashwin provides you that experience, that ability to also contribute with the bat at No. 8 and someone we always thought of in case, there are certain opportunities opened, he is someone who is definitely a part of your plans and someone of his experience, I know has not played a lot of ODI cricket of late but someone of his experience can do that really well.” IND vs AUS 1st ODI: India set for last dress rehearsal before World Cup “It’s a good chance for him to test himself because he has not played the 50-over cricket for a long time. I will not say that for him it is a trial or anything, we know his quality. This is a chance for him to get the taste of this format and we just want to give him an opportunity to play in two or three games,” Dravid added. In 113 ODIs so far, Ashwin has taken 151 wickets at an average of 33.49. He also has 707 runs to his name and a fifty. India squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar. India squad for third ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.