"Ashwin tests you mentally as well" - Sunil Gavaskar backs off-spinner to play in the India-Pakistan 2023 World Cup clash

Former batter and legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to play in the marquee clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.

Ashwin, out of favor in the ODI setup since January 2022, has been effective since his return in the recent Australia series. The 37-year-old picked up 3/41 in the second ODI when India sealed the series against their foes.

Ashwin also played in India's first game of the World Cup against Australia, finishing with excellent figures of 1/34 in ten overs.

Speaking on India Today in the build-up to the monumental clash, Gavaskar felt the Tamil Nadu spinner tests the batters mentally with his clever bowling.

"I'm not saying just because he is an off-spinner who will turn the ball against the left-hander, but Ashwin is clever. Ashwin tests you mentally as well. And I would want to have him in the team because he can keep the pressure. If needed at number 8, he can give you those 20-30 runs and have a partnership to make a difference," said Gavaskar.

Ashwin boasts an incredible record in ODI World Cups, with 18 wickets in 11 games at an average of 25.38 and an economy rate of 4.27 runs per over.

Both sides enter the contest with two wins in as many games to start their World Cup campaign. While the Men in Blue defeated Australia and Afghanistan, Pakistan brushed aside the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

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"I'll pick Ashwin for the simple reason that there is Saud Shakeel in the side" - Sunil Gavaskar

Saud Shakeel has made a tremendous start to his International career.

Sunil Gavaskar felt Team India should pick Ravichandran Ashwin due to the 28-year-old Saud Shakeel's presence in the Pakistan side, a player who has been imperious with the bat this year.

Shakeel scored a crucial 68 in Pakistan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands and a 30-ball 31 in their stunning run chase against Sri Lanka. Gavaskar felt Shakeel being a left-hander brings Ashwin into play in the middle overs.

"I'll pick Ashwin for the simple reason that there is Saud Shakeel in the side. He is in the middle order now and he is the kind of player who can taken Pakistan from a dire situation to a safer spot. He is the guy against whom you need a clever bowler," said Gavaskar.

Shakeel has also been on a record-breaking spree in Tests, averaging an incredible 87.50 with two centuries and six half-centuries in seven games.

Team India will look to maintain its unbeaten run against Pakistan in ODI World Cups, having won all seven of their previous meetings. Rohit Sharma's Men have also been in dominant form against the arch-rivals recently, winning the last four outings against Pakistan convincingly.