Former chief selector Sandeep Patil has welcomed off-spinner R. Ashwin’s inclusion in place of an injured Axar Patel in the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Patil, a member of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian side, said he was not surprised to see the experienced and skilful Ashwin replacing Axar.
“He’s the best off-spinner in world cricket today and I’m happy to see he is in. I also feel sorry for Axar, who got injured. But then you know, it was a blessing in disguise,” said Patil on Monday, at an event organized here to announce the Shrachi group as East Bengal cricket club’s sponsor for three years.