IND vs AUS 3rd ODI 2023: Axar Patel ruled out of Rajkot ODI | India vs Australia: In a notable development, spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of upcoming India vs Australia 3rd ODI, to be held in Rajkot. Patel is currently recovering from a right quadricep injury, which he sustained during the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka.
Axar is currently undergoing his rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
Interestingly, the injury to Axar is a blessing in disguise for Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been drafted into the Indian squad as a second specialist spinner, besides Ravindra Jadeja. The senior off-spinner has been right on target in the first two India vs Australia ODIs, especially in the Indore ODI.
Ashwin has scalped four wickets so far in two games against Australia, three of which came in the second contest in Indore. More than wickets, the spinner has troubled the Australian batters and it’s been hard for the visitors to read him.
His performance, and the injury to Axar Patel, tempted the Indian management to have a look at R Ashwin for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Moreover, his calls for inclusion are also driven by the fact that he adds variety to the squad, which otherwise is dominated by the left-arm spinners.
However, things are not as easy as they appear in front of Ajit Agarkar and Co. It has been learned that Axar Patel is likely to be fit for the World Cup 2023. He is on the right track to his recovery and is expected to be available for India’s warm-up matches.
It is noteworthy that Axar Patel was earlier named in India’s squad for the 3rd ODI against Australia conditionally if he recovers on time, which isn’t the case currently. He will miss the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI in Rajkot.
IND vs AUS 3rd ODI: Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur Rested
Additionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also informed that opener batter Shubman Gill and pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur have been rested for the India vs Australia 3rd ODI. The two have not travelled with the team to Rajkot from Indore and will join the Indian squad directly ahead of the warm-up games in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, the team will also see the return of veteran Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the third fixture. The two players were rested for the opening two ODIs.
Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah will also be available for the India vs. Australia 3rd ODI in Rajkot on September 27. The pacer had missed the second fixture as he went home to meet his family.
Below is India’s squad for the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI in Rajkot:
Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (vc), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj
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