'Don't see him playing there': Ex-cricketer leaves out R Ashwin for World Cup match vs Afghanistan

Spinners played a pivotal role in Team India's emphatic win over Australia in their campaign opener of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. All three of the turners- Ravindra Jadeja (3), Ravichandran Ashwin (1), and Kuldeep Yadav (2)- picked up scalps to wreak havoc on the Australian batting line-up. Rohit Sharma's decision to play 3 spinners turned out to be a fruitful one. 

However, an ex-cricketer does not see the same combination playing against Afghanistan. 

3 things you need to know

• India commenced the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign with a victory
• India defeated Australia by 6 wickets
• Indian Spinners snared away with 6 wickets in the match

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Sanjay Manjrekar does not see R Ashwin playing the IND vs AFG match

According to former cricketer and renowned commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ravichandran Ashwin should not feature in the IND vs AFG match if the pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium promises similar exploits as it was showcased in the match between Sri Lanka and South Africa. In the SL vs SA game, more than 750 runs were scored and many other batting records were broken.

During a discussion among experts on Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar laid out his views on the IND vs AFG match and named Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami as the better options over R Ashwin.

"My view is that unless there is a compelling reason, I don't like Hardik Pandya as your third seamer. I think he also feels the pressure if he is the third seamer."

The former India batter added:

"What is likely to happen is that if the pitch is similar to the one that we had in that South Africa-Sri Lanka game, which was a belter, there was nothing there for the spinners, I don't see Ashwin playing on that surface."

Manjrekar sees either Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Shami replacing the off-spinner in the playing XI:

"India will add more batting depth unless they feel that they will get in pace quality against Afghanistan on this flat pitch. But they have shown their cards very early coming into the World Cup.

"They are not very keen to go one batter short. Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Shami is the change that I see if that's the exact same surface that we get in Delhi."

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India vs Afghanistan match: Preview

India will take on Afghanistan on October 11, 2023. It will be both sides' second encounter in the ODI World Cup. Team India started on a winning note, whereas disappointment prevailed in the Afghani camp after Bangladesh convincingly defeated them by 6 wickets. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, Odds will be in favour of India but Men in Blue will remain wary of the threat that the Afghan team, especially the spin department, may pose. With all to look forward to the live action will begin at 2 PM IST on the scheduled date.