Ashwin's inclusion a blessing in disguise: Sandeep Patil

KOLKATA: Ravichandran Ashwin made a late entry to the India ODI World Cup squad when he was added to the final 15-man squad in place of injured left-arm spinner Axar Patel.
Ashwin has played 10 matches for India in World Cup history with his last appearance coming back in 2015. Like many, former India World Cup winning member Sandeep Patil welcomed the off-spinner back.
"I feel sorry for Axar, but I am also happy to see Ashwin back," Patil said on the sidelines of a promotional event in the city on Monday."He is the best off-spinner in world cricket today and I feel his return is a blessing in disguise," he added.
Ashwin has bagged 17 wickets in the competition at an average of 24.88 and an economy of 4.36 with his best figures being 4-25.
Although the former national selector was optimistic about India's World Cup chances, he stressed that consistency in performance would matter a lot in overcoming the challenge of such a long tournament. "We have a fine team, great balance and are in good form too. But to sustain that for a long period is difficult. I think it's during the mid-tournament that we'll get a clearer picture of where the teams actually stand," he said.
Although he picked Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the key players for India's campaign, he stressed on the importance of team game. "You will have important players like Hardik, Virat and Rohit, but it's not an individual game. If you want to win, all of them have to perform. If you look at the 1983 team, we had good all-rounders and in every match, there were different heroes and performers. Everyone has to play the role assigned to him and carry out the responsibilities and contribute. Only that will make things happen," he stated.
The former National Cricket Academy (NCA) director picked England, New Zealand and Australia apart from India as the likely semifinalists in the upcoming mega event. The former middle-order batter did not sound too excited about Pakistan's prospects. "Pakistan is the most dangerous side, but they are not consistent. As for Pakistan, they are brilliant one day and terrible another day, which we have seen in the Asia Cup also," he remarked.
Patil did not want to bet on South Africa too. "As for South Africa, they start well but then fail to finish it. That's why they have earned the moniker chokers," he added.