Axar Patel likely to be ruled out for Asia Cup 2023 Final, Washington Sundar joins India: In a blow to the Indian team ahead of their Asia Cup 2023 Final fixture against Sri Lanka, senior all-rounder Axar Patel has suffered multiple niggles and is expected to rest for the impending assignment on Sunday. The spin-bowling all-rounder is reported to have suffered injuries while batting against Bangladesh last night.
As a replacement cover, young Washington Sundar has been immediately flown to Sri Lanka. The spinner will join the Indian squad ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 Final on September 17 in Colombo.
Notably, Sundar is named in India’s Asian Games squad, which will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The spinner will provide his services to the senior men’s team for the Asia Cup 2023 Final and then immediately fly back to Bengaluru to rejoin the camp.
Axar Patel’s injury concerns emerged during India’s last Super Four fixture against Bangladesh. There is still no clarity as to how grave his niggles are, but reportedly, he will have to sit out of the marquee final of the Asia Cup 2023.
Axar played a fine knock of 42 runs in 34 deliveries against Bangladesh, last night, with the help of three boundaries and two sixes. He kept India’s hopes alive until he was in the middle. However, as soon as he lost his wicket to Mustafizur Rahman, India crumbled to lose the game by six runs.
He also copped a couple of blows during his stay in the middle. In one instance, Axar danced down the track to hit the ball but missed it. While coming back to the crease to save his wicket, Axar hurt his hand.
In another instance a few overs later, he again took a few steps and played a lofted shot, which went to Towhid Hridoy. The fielder hurled the ball towards the non-striker’s end but unfortunately, it hit Axar Patel on his hand. The batter looked in discomfort as he jumped off the ground and immediately the medics were called in to attend him.
If Axar Patel gets ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 Final, it will be a massive blow for Team India. He is not only good with his bowling, but his batting has provided India with the necessary depth it requires.
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar may also come in handy, if picked for the final against Sri Lanka. He can trouble the opposition’s left-handed batters with his off-spin deliveries. Moreover, he is also a decent batter.
Below is India’s updated squad for the Asia Cup 2023:
Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul(w), Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.