There is no planning here – Irfan Pathan on Ravichandran Ashwin’s selection for Australia ODIs

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is surprised to note Ravichandran Ashwin’s selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Ashwin has been picked for the series just ahead of the all-important World Cup.

With Axar Patel getting injured in the recently concluded Asia Cup, India wants to keep their selection doors open for an experienced all-rounder like Ashwin. However, the off-spinner had last played an ODI back in January 2022 against South Africa and his selection is a major surprise before the ODI showpiece.

Ashwin brings a lot of experience to the table as he has scalped 151 wickets in 113 ODI matches at an average of 33.5 and an economy rate of 4.94. Furthermore, Ashwin has played 94 Test matches in his glorious career.

“You can’t get a better spinner than Ashwin in the entire world. But in a tournament as big as the World Cup, where there is immense pressure, you can’t expect a senior player to walk in and play for the team in a format which he hasn’t played for a long time and prove his worth. So you are leaving it entirely to fate. There is no planning here,” Pathan said on Star Sports.

Pathan said if India had to keep Ashwin in the World Cup scheme, then the think tank should have given him more game time.

“Had there been a plan for Ashwin, they should have given him some game time before the World Cup. Yes, he will be playing against Australia, but is that enough? You have to bowl for 10 overs, adjust in the team as well and give India that result. It isn’t that easy. Planning should have been better,” he added.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has backed Ravichandran Ashwin as he has all the experience despite a lack of game time before the ODI World Cup.

Ashwin will have to hit the ground running and as Pathan said, it is not going to be a walk in the park for him. The first ODI between India and Australia will be played at Mohali on Friday.