World Cup 2023: 'Ashwin carbon copy' Mahesh Pithiya rejects Australia's exciting offer ahead of India clash

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Ravichandran Ashwin's 'carbon copy' got a call from the Australian camp right after the star off-spinner was named in India squad for World Cup 2023 as injured Axar Patel's replacement a day after the completion of the 3-match bilateral series between the two countries on September 27.

Ashwin made his ODI comeback after a gap of 18 months with the series and picked four wickets in two matches to pip Washington Sundar and replace injured Axar Patel in India's main squad.

The Tamil Nadu spinner picked the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne in the first ODI and gave away just 47 runs in 10 overs. In the second ODI, the 37-year-old off-spinner trapped David Warner, Josh Inglis in front of the stumps, and clean bowled Labuschagne.

On a flat Indore surface on which India piled up 399 runs for the loss of just five wickets, Australia were bowled out for 217 in 28.2 overs. Ashwin registered figures of 3/41 in seven overs.

The news of Ashwin making it into India's World Cup squad created panic in the Australian camp as they called Ashwin's 'duplicate' Mahesh Pithiya immediately and asked him to help them in the nets. However, the 21-year-old turned down the offer after consulting with his Baroda coach.

“It was certainly an exciting offer, but then, I am also part of the Baroda set-up for the domestic season that begins next month. So, I thought about it, spoke to our coach and informed them that it won’t be possible for me to join the camp this time around," Pithiya told Sportstar.

“As soon as the BCCI announced Ashwin as the replacement for Axar, I got the call. It is always exciting to work with international teams, but my priority is domestic cricket. I have come so far because of playing for Baroda, and ahead of a long season, I thought I should focus on my game and not join the Australian team,” Pithiya added.

Pithiya, who has played four first-class matches till date and used to work at a tea stall in Junagadh a few years ago, first came in news during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. The visiting Australia team took his help to prepare against the spin threat from India.

Pithiya back then had claimed of dismissing Steve Smith a few times in the nets. He had also clarified that the Australians took him on only because he’s a quality off-spinner, and not because his bowling action is almost the same as Ashwin's. Nathan Lyon had introduced Pithiya to Ashwin during one of the net sessions. The youngster paid his tribute to Ashwin by touching his feet.

India and Australia kick off their World Cup 2023 campaign against each other at Ashwin's home ground MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.