WC Winner Player Backs the Inclusion of R Ashwin in India Squad, Feels Sorry for Axar Patel
There is one big change made to the ICC Cricket World Cup squad of India on the deadline day for finalizing the 15 members. Ravichandran Ashwin, as was highly anticipated, made the cut at the last minute after producing a couple of impressive displays during the three-match ODI series against Australia right before the World Cup.
Ashwin wasn’t part of the squad initially, which raised eyebrows since it didn’t have a single specialist off spinner but had as many as three left-arm spinners, including Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.
Former cricketer of India and member of the 1983 World Cup-winning side Sandeep Patil says the inclusion of the veteran off spinner didn’t surprise him at all, as he’s the best in his category.
As Patil said, “Ashwin’s inclusion wasn’t a surprise at all. Not at all. He’s the best off-spinner in world cricket today, and I’m happy to see he’s in. I also feel sorry for Axar, who got injured. But then, you know, it was a blessing in disguise for India.
He also said, “We have a fine team, great balance, and the team’s in good shape and form, which is so important. But to sustain that for a long period is difficult. I think by mid-tournament we’ll come to know where the teams actually stand.”