Cricket World Cup 2023 | Focus on Ashwin and Shardul in training session ahead of India’s warm-up game against England

Ashwin, Shardul battle for No. 8 spot in India's WC squad; debate rages on. Ashwin's inclusion may make selection matters more interesting, as he can be as potent as any other spinner in the world. Management faces challenge of choosing two between Kuldeep, Jadeja and Ashwin.

Till last week, aficionados and connoisseurs alike, were busy discussing whether Axar Patel was better suited to be India’s No. 8 in the forthcoming Men’s Cricket World Cup or would Shardul Thakur be more useful in the same role.

The personnel may have changed but the debate rages on. From the Indian management’s perspective, however, the option is simple. Or so it looked during India’s first official nets session, an optional one, for the World Cup.

Considering the travel and workload that the team has been through over the last month and lying ahead for the next two, it wasn’t surprising that only four players joined the support staff for a practice session at the Amingaon Cricket Ground, on the outskirts of the city.

What was not at all surprising was R. Ashwin and Shardul Thakur being among them. The duo had an extensive batting and bowling workout under a scorching sun on Friday afternoon, ahead of India’s warm-up tie against England on Saturday.

After the warm-up drills, Shardul headed to the centre of the ground, bowling to Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan for a long time. Ashwin, meanwhile, walked to the nets behind the pavilion and batted for well over 45 minutes.

Batting against spin, not only did Ashwin practise sweep shot frequently but even tried out reverse-sweep, connecting the shot more often than not. Later on he walked on to the centre pitch, facing India’s throwdown specialist trio for a second stint.

Both Ashwin and Shardul batted in tandem for a while. Even after Shardul was done with, Ashwin changed his gears and bowled for half an hour under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.