'Never thought that my run at World Cup would end...': Ravichandran Ashwin

NEW DELHI: Indian star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin fared decently well in the opening match of the World Cup against Australia in Chennai. Despite that he warmed the benches for the remainder of the tournament.

Ashwin, who took a wicket by conceding only 34 runs in his 10 overs, made it into the 15-member World Cup squad after Axar Patel failed to recover in time from his left quadriceps strain.

Having been on the sidelines of the tournament, Ashwin expressed his pain and disclosed his return was imminent but Hardik Pandya 's injury forced the team management to make amends in their planning.

"Never thought that my run at the World Cup would end after playing one match in Chennai, because I was bowling with good rhythm," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"My return was supposed to come against New Zealand at Dharamsala, Hardik had a heartbreaking injury. Hardik Pandya was an important figure because we did not have an all-rounder to replace him," he further said.

Ashwin praised the Indian team for exhibiting an entertaining style of cricket. He acknowledged that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid had planned everything well in advance of the World Cup.

"Both Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma said that they had well laid out, strong plans. This World Cup had us playing an exciting brand of cricket," Ashwin further added.