Former India player Yuvraj Singh believes that India should have opted for Washington Sundar as a replacement for Axar Patel instead of R Ashwin in the World Cup squad. The veteran spinner has been added to India’s World Cup 2023 squad after Axar Patel got injured. The upcoming World Cup will also marl Ashwin’s third appearance in the 50-overs World Cup as he was a part of the Indian team that played in 2011 and 2015.

Ashwin’s selection came as a surprise as he was included to the side as a last-minute replacement for injured Axar Patel, who suffered a quadriceps tear. It was back in January when the Tamil Nadu-based player played his last ODI but then keeping in mind his impressive record of 155 wickets from 115 ODIs, the off-spinner will play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup. In the recently passed ODI series against Australia, Ashwin took four wickets.

Sundar was also in line for the World Cup squad but then it was Ashwin who won the race. While talking to Hindustan Times, Yuvraj believed that Sundar should have got the nod ahead of Ashwin.

“With Axar not there we have to wait and see who will bat at No. 7. I was thinking if Washington Sundar would have played in place of Axar then India would have had another left-hander. But unfortunately, he did not get picked and so did Yuzvendra Chahal. But otherwise, I feel the combination is fine,” said Yuvraj.

“So whoever between KL and Iyer bats at No. 4, I don’t think India should chop and change anymore because both are coming back from an injury and both need game time,” Yuvraj added.

The Indian team will start their World Cup campaign by playing against Australia in Chennai on 8 October. Ahead of their first game, the Men in Blue will also take part in two warm-up matches against England (30 September) and the Netherlands (3 October).