Ravichandran Ashwin is the best off-spinner in cricket today, happy to see him in World Cup squad: Sandeep Patil

Former Indian chief selector Sandeep Patil is delighted to note the inclusion of experienced Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s World Cup squad. Ashwin was added to the World Cup squad after Axar Patel suffered a quadriceps injury against Bangladesh in the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup and thus was ruled out of the ODI showpiece.

The off-spinner was able to prove his mettle as he returned with decent figures of 1-47 in the first ODI at Mohali against Australia. Ashwin was at his lethal best as he registered figures of 3-41 in the seven overs he bowled against Australia in the second ODI at Indore. The veteran accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, and Josh Inglis in his fine spell.

Ashwin has all the experience under his belt and he can also contribute while batting down the order.

The veteran has scalped a total of 155 wickets in 115 ODI matches at an average of 33.4 and he would want to deliver the goods for the national team in the quadrennial event.

“Ashwin’s inclusion wasn’t a surprise at all. Not at all,” Patil was quoted as saying by The Telegraph Online. “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).”

Recently Ashwin, 37, revealed that this would be his last World Cup for the Indian team.

“It will be all about enjoying the game. I have been saying that this might be my last World Cup for India. But I just want to keep enjoying as life is all about surprises.”

India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 8th October.

India’s final World Cup 2023 squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.