Ashwin breaks silence on not being part of India's World Cup plans as former chief selector raises hard-hitting query

Ravichandran Ashwin has found himself in contention for the ODI World Cup and the Asia Cup in the midst of a right-arm finger-spinning option in the Indian ODI set-up after a former BCCI head selector raised a tough question.

But Ashwin was never part of the plan. Despite not playing the format since 2016, he made a stunning return to the white-ball side for the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups for the same reason.

While the gap between one-day internationals has been nearly same, Ashwin broke his quiet ahead of India's selection meeting for the Asia Cup and World Cup.

Earlier this week, during a conversation on Star Sports, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad offered an unexpected decision for India's spin option for the Asia Cup.

Prasad noted that with the World Cup taking place in Asian conditions and most countries having left-handed batting options, Ashwin may have proven to be a "handy" option for India.

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"I still have a thing for Ravichandran Ashwin." You're playing in Asian circumstances, and I believe he may be really useful with so many left-handers in the opposition right now.

We've seen how many left-handers there are in Australia. Ashwin will undoubtedly be handy because he is also in the best of spirits. "He can be useful, particularly when playing in Sri Lanka and India," Prasad remarked.

However, since the Champions Trophy final in 2017, Ashwin has only played two ODIs, both in South Africa in 2022.

While many believed that the move would put him in contention for the World Cup, he was never selected in any of India's five ODI series following the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Speaking to the Times of India about his absence from the ODI squad, Ashwin expressed no sorrow for circumstances beyond his control.

"I don't think that way because team selection is not my responsibility." I'd chosen a long time ago not to think about anything that wasn't in my hands. "I am honestly in a very good place in terms of life and cricket, and I try to keep negativity out of my mind," he said.

The renowned off-spinner then encouraged the Indian team to win their third World Cup victory, despite the fact that he is very certain to be omitted from the squad despite being considered.

"I live for the day, and I have no outstanding business." "However, even if I am not playing, I would like to see India win the World Cup again," he stated.