World Cup 2023: How Ravichandran Ashwin got mega audition opportunity a day after his 37th birthday

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World Cup 2023: Just 17 days before the start of the World Cup 2023, Ravichandran Ashwin is again back in the India white-ball team. It's not the first-time that the veteran off-spinner is making another headline-making comeback ahead of a World Cup.

The Test veteran was directly inducted in India's T20 World Cup 2021 squad despite not playing in the format since 2017. He continued playing in the format until the next T20 World Cup in 2022. Making a comeback to white-ball cricket after a 4-year hiatus and playing two T20 World Cups explained the trust the team has in the modern day legend.

Ashwin also got the opportunity to make his ODI comeback after a gap of almost five years. He played two ODI matches in January 2022 against South Africa, however, was dropped from the format thereafter only to make a sensational comeback on Monday.

World Cup 2023: Ashwin makes ODI comeback just a day after his 37th birthday

Just a day after celebrating his 37th birthday, Ashwin got another lifeline to his ODI career after being named in the ODI squad for the upcoming 3-match series against Australia. Saying a lifeline wouldn't be apt. Calling it one last opportunity for the 'the last dance'.

World Cup 2023: Ashwin was always on Rohit Sharma's mind

Ravichandran Ashwin getting into the mix of things is just very late and not surprising. Ideally, one would have expected Ashwin to play the West Indies ODI series to get a hint that he was in the scheme of things.

Neither was he given a place in the squad for West Indies T20Is. His name was missing from the Jasprit Bumrah-led India squad for Ireland T20I series as well.

However, Rohit Sharma mentioned Ashwin's name while announcing the squad for Asia Cup 2023. He said the experienced tweaker was also in contention for the World Cup 2023.

Washington Sundar was called to Sri Lanka after injury to Axar Patel. The young off-spinner flying to Sri Lanka made it almost certain that Ashwin's World Cup hopes were over.

But just then, Rohit Sharma, a hardcore supporter of Ashwin, revealed that a couple of options were explored and the management zeroed on Washington as he was match ready. The all-rounder was training with the Asian Games squad in Bengaluru when he was asked to join the Asia Cup squad.

Rohit went on to add that he was in talks with Ashwin and had asked him to be prepared. The captain walked the talk on Monday by giving an SOS call to one of his most trusted and experienced soldiers.

“With the kind of experience Ashwin has, he has played close to 100 Tests (94), close to 150 ODIs (113). Yes, it was all in the past but he has been consistently playing Test cricket. With guys like Ashwin, having time on the ground is not so much of a concern which is why we thought if he’s an option, we need to get him in. But with the kind of experience he has, for guys like him it’s all in the head more than the body," Rohit said on Monday.

“So, we made the decision of speaking to him, understanding where he’s at with his body. It’s not like he’s not been playing cricket. Yes, he hasn’t played the format but he’s been playing. He played in the West Indies, and played in TNPL - no comparison but still some cricket. Games here against Australia will give us a chance to look where he’s at, how’s he bowling, how his body is feeling," he added.

As things stand now, Ashwin is set to audition for a spot in the home World Cup squad alsongside Sundar. The modern day great will grab all the limelight in the next one week.