India’s veteran player Ravichandran Ashwin made his way into the side that will take part in the upcoming cricket World Cup. Earlier, when the BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar declared the Indian squad, Ashwin was not picked but then his inclusion transpired when Axar Patel incurred a tear in his quadriceps muscle. The recently passed India-Australia ODI series gave a chance to Axar to prove his fitness but then he failed and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.
Over the last few days, the series of events have been quite topsy-turvy, leaving Ashwin surprised. He could not control his laughter when veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik questioned him about his sudden World Cup selection during a conversation on Star Sports.
"Life is full of surprises and I honestly wasn't thinking I would be here. The trust that the team management has shown and the circumstances have made sure I am here today. But enjoying the game has been my prime motive over the last few years and that is what I will be doing in this tournament."
Earlier, when Axar Patel sustained an injury, Ashwin and Washington Sundar was called up as his replacement for the Australia series but then it was Ashwin who got the nod in the first two games against the Aussies. The Tamil Nadu-based spinner ended up scalping four wickets in the three-match ODI series against Australia.
"All I do is turn the ball both ways and I feel I can already do that. It is all about doing subtle variations and dealing with pressure in these sort of tournaments. Pressure is of paramount importance for most players in these tournaments, but how you deal with it dictate how the tournament goes for yourself and the team. As far as I am concerned, being in a good space and enjoying the game will hold me in good stead. I have kept saying this, it could well be my last World Cup for India," he said.