Ravichandran Ashwin is back in the mix for the World Cup after being picked in the squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia from Friday.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee on Monday included the off-spinner along with Washington Sundar to add variety to the attack. Sundar played in the Asia Cup final after being flown in as a replacement for the injured Axar Patel. He, however, didn't get to bat or bowl.

KL Rahul will lead the side in the first two matches after Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav were rested along with Axar. All these players will be available for the third ODI on September 27.

Both Agarkar and Rohit Sharma were hopeful that Axar would recover for the third ODI. However, there seems to be an increasing demand to draft in an offie in case three spinners are needed to play in a World Cup match.

Sources told The Telegraph that Ashwin's wicket-taking abilities in the middle overs and skill to open the bowling are factors that have been considered. His last ODI was more than 20 months ago, in Paarl, South Africa.

Ashwin's performance in the three matches against Australia will decide his fate. While Axar's availability will be crucial, Shardul Thakur's effectiveness will also come under scrutiny. The team management has realised that the absence of an off-spinner against left-handers like David Warner and Ben Stokes could land them in trouble.

"Ashwin brings in experience, so it gives us options in case there is a need at some stage to look at those guys... There's no need to speculate," Agarkar said.

Rohit didn't read much into the fact that Ashwin hasn't played ODIs in a while. "He has consistently been playing Test cricket. With the kind of experience he has, it's all in the head more than the body. He may not be playing ODIs but he has been playing Tests... Of course, there's no comparison... The games against Australia will give us a chance to look at where he is," said Rohit.

Ashwin has been fine-tuning his skills at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for the past few days with the white ball. He is also scheduled to play a 50-over match in Chennai's local league on Tuesday.

Rohit said in Colombo that he has spoken to the off-spinner. The deadline for the final squad is September 28.