'Did nothing for 15 days'; Axar Patel on World Cup cruel twist

RAIPUR: Left-arm orthodox spinner Axar Patel has responded to the late anticlimax that saw his name being dropped from the recently concluded ICC World Cup Indian squad after being initially included. Axar Patel's name was included when the 15-member squad was announced. However, in a cruel twist, Patel was dropped from the World Cup squad after suffering an injury in the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Sri Lanka and was replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin.

“I was very happy seeing my name on the list. Not everyone gets the chance to play the World Cup and it is what we players crave the most. However, the injury brought in deadly consequences and I saw my name being dropped from the list. For 15 days, I could do nothing but simply sit in a room.” Axar revealed.

In the fourth match of the India-Australia Twenty20 series held in Raipur, Axar was adjudged the man of the match, as he excelled both with the bat and bowl. Patel who bowled four overs conceded just 16 runs while taking three wickets. However, Axar has not been included in the Indian Twenty20 squad for the tour of South Africa starting this month.