Never thought my journey would end in opening match: R Ashwin on getting just one game in CWC '23
R Ashwin on top of ICC Test rankings
R Ashwinopened up on getting just one game in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup at home. Ashwin was not part of India's initial World Cup squad but an injury to spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel led to his inclusion just days before the tournament's commencement. Ashwin featured in India's opening game, where they met eventual winners Australia in Chennai, but never featured in the playing XI from there on.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 37-year-old Ashwin said, "Never thought that my run at the World Cup would end after playing one match in Chennai, because I was bowling with good rhythm."
In the game between India and Australia, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Oct 8, Ashwin ended with match figures of 1 for 34 as India dismissed the Aussies for 199 in 49.3 overs riding on Ravindra Jadeja's 3 for 28. Later, India chased down the score with ease, despite early jitters, thanks to Virat Kohli's 85 and KL Rahul's 97 not out.
From thereon, Ashwin lost his place to Shardul Thakur as India went for more pace options before Hardik Pandya's injury and eventualomission led to the wily off-spinner sitting it out.
Ashwin revealed that he was going to play versus New Zealand, in Dharamsala, however, Hardik's absencechanged India's plans. After that, India went ahead with five bowlers -- Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"My return was supposed to come against New Zealand at Dharamsala, Hardik had a heartbreaking injury. Hardik Pandya was an important figure because we did not have an all-rounder to replace him," Ashwin further added.
Under Rohit, India playedbrilliant cricket to win ten games in a row to enter the tournament-final, where they faced Australia on Nov 19 in Ahmedabad. However, they had an off-day in the summit clashto lose by six wickets.
Reflecting on the hosts' campaign, Ashwin further added, "Both Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma said that they had well laid out, strong plans. This World Cup had us playing an exciting brand of cricket."