Rahul Dravid responds to a question about R Ashwin being included in India’s World Cup roster

The three-match ODI series against Australia has raised the suspense around India’s final world cup team announcement. Axar Patel’s injury before the Asia Cup final in Sri Lanka caused the team management to recall Washington Sundar, and later offspinner Ravichandran made a surprising comeback for the Australia ODIs.

While Axar is supposedly on track to regain his fitness in time for India’s warm-up games, it is still unclear if Ashwin will make the 15-man team given his impressive bowling performance in the first two games, when he picked up four wickets and routinely beat both batters’ edges.

The deadline for finalizing selections is today, and when asked whether Ashwin has a chance, India coach Rahul Dravid said that it would be best to hold off until an official announcement.

“On that, we must wait for formal confirmation or a ruling. I won’t comment on it since Ajit (Agarkar) and the selectors are in contact with the NCA. As of right now, there aren’t any modifications, but you’ll find out about them officially, Dravid said.

Only 13 players were available to the hosts for the third and final ODI against Australia, which India ultimately lost. While Ishan Kishan was unwell, Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami went back home.

However, Dravid anticipates that a complete roster will be assembled for the team’s first exhibition game against England on September 30 in Guwahati.

“There have been a few instances of viral (fever) spreading throughout the group. Due to some returning home for personal reasons and a team departing tonight for the Asian Games, it was necessary for certain players, notably Rutu and Tilak, to join that squad for this game. By the 28th night or 29th early morning, I’m anticipating everyone to be in Guwahati, and maybe the sickness that has been circulating through the area has also passed, Dravid remarked.

“In this game, we had to juggle a few things, but I’m hoping we have around a week, or at least a few days. The team should be at full strength, and hopefully the glitch that was affecting the group has also disappeared. If it occurs, that would be good, he continued.