Akshar gets More's vote for ticket to World Cup

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat left-arm spinner Akshar Patel got former chairman of the BCCI selection panel Kiran More's vote for his selection in the Indian squad for the World Cup.
Writing in the Sunday Times of India More said: "I would certainly pick Akshar Patel for the role of third spinner when the Indian team goes for the World Cup Down Under. Akshar is a good all-round cricketer and is a wicket-taker.More importantly his economy rate in limited-overs cricket is also good."
More also added that though Akshar and Ravindra Jadeja are both left-arm spinners, they will add variety to the Indian attack.
"Akshar and Jadeja are not similar but two useful all-rounders who can provide captain MS Dhoni some options. Akshar will definitely have an edge over leg-spinner Karn Sharma in the final squad if it comes to selecting one from the two," More wrote.
When Akshar was first included in the Indian team for a three-match ODI series in Bangladesh in June this year, he was actually filling up the vacant places of some seniors who went on a break after the IPL and just before the England tour. He had an impressive IPL but didn't set the stage on fire on his debut. He scored just nine runs in two innings and picked up one wicket in three matches but he made one thing clear that one shouldn't judge him so soon.
The 20-year-old Nadiad boy again impressed all with his fighting spirit and never-say-die spirit in the Champions League T20 where he claimed eight wickets from five matches and above all proved time and again that he can bat. The way he handled Ravi Rampaul on one occasion, hitting 22 runs in one over, was a good example of that.
Akshar was duly rewarded for his brilliance and was included in the Indian team for the two ODIs against the West Indies on October 17 and 20. But with the West Indies team pulling out of the Indian tour mid-way through the series, Akshar just got one game and bowled beautifully. Akshar bowled 10 overs giving away just 26 runs and picking two wickets. One of those overs was a maiden too.
Now there is another opportunity for the Nadiad boy to prove his worth in the bigger scheme of things in Indian cricket.