Swann believes that Patel needs to show discipline and now that Samit has been thrown a lifeline to redeem himself after being selected for England’s limited over’s game against Sri Lanka, which is due to start on Saturday.
"I think he's going in the right direction, but I certainly don't think he's there yet," he said.
Swann has questioned whether he is ready to play for England and the spinner wasn’t particularly impressed after Patel failed to achieve minimum standards of general fitness and is hoping that he has learned his lesson.
Graeme Swann added; "It doesn't frustrate me but it should frustrate him. Actually, I suppose it does frustrate me - you just think, 'what an idiot'.
"But I suppose a lot of people thought the same about me for a long time.
"Samit has talent, but it's whether he has decided he has what it takes to have an international career. That's the whole point.
"It's not just being overweight; it's the reluctance to buy into the discipline. That was his downfall.
"If you can't even be bothered to do that, how will you buy into all the team principles and be trusted by the rest of the team?"
