Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, has asserted that the veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is still very much a candidate for India’s World Cup squad, despite his initial omission from the provisional lineup.

In the initial 15-member squad for the World Cup on home soil, Kuldeep Yadav was the lone specialist spinner, complemented by spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

However, when Axar Patel suffered an injury just before the Asia Cup final in Colombo, India called upon Washington Sundar as a replacement, rather than the 37-year-old Ashwin.

Captain Rohit Sharma clarified that Sundar’s selection should not be interpreted as evidence that Ashwin, who last played an ODI in January 2022, has slipped down the pecking order. He stated, “As a spinner all-rounder, Ashwin is in line. I have been talking to him on the phone.”

Rohit emphasized that roles within the team have been communicated clearly to the players, highlighting that the selection of Washington Sundar was necessitated by Axar Patel’s injury. He added, “I have been very clear with players about their roles. Everyone is in the loop.”

Teams have until September 28 to make changes to their World Cup squads. India’s victory in the Asia Cup served as a timely boost ahead of the World Cup, although batsman Shreyas Iyer missed several matches, including the final, due to a back spasm.

Rohit Sharma provided reassurance about Shreyas Iyer’s condition, stating, “Shreyas was not available for (the final) because certain parameters were kept for him to tick off.” He further expressed, “I should say he is alright 99% as of now. He looks good, he batted and fielded for long hours (in the nets), and he was on the ground long before we came to the ground. I don’t think it is a worry for us.”