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Star India all-rounder Axar Patel was ruled out of the 3rd and final ODI against Australia, scheduled to take place in Rajkot on September 27 (Wednesday). According to a report in Cricbuzz, Axar hasn't recovered from his 'left quadriceps strain' and will miss the upcoming one-dayer against the Baggy Greens. The left-arm spinner, who also bats left-handed, is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Axar was not named in India's squad for the first two ODIs against Australia but with the selectors deciding to opt for the World Cup squad to participate in the final game of the series, Axar was slated to make a return. But with Axar still recovering from his injury, the ODI World Cup doors have opened up for Ravichandran Ashwin, who bowled magnificently in the first ODIs against Australia.
Having said that, Cricbuzz has reported that the BCCI is optimistic about Axar's recovery in time and the all-rounder might regain full fitness ahead of India's warm-up matches for the quadrennial mega competition.
With the latest development on Axar, Rohit Sharma and the Indian team management have been put in a dilemma of sorts when it comes finalising the squad for the ODI World Cup. Remember, the last date for making a change in the World Cup squad is September 28 (Thursday).
In the match against Bangladesh on September 15 (Friday), Axar sustained some nasty blows to his forearm and fingers. The Indian team physio was also spotted working on Axar's hamstring during the dying stages of the match. Washington Sundar flew to Colombo and joined the Indian squad ahead of the Asia Cup final. Sundar was included in India's playing XI for the final in place of Axar.
India squad for ODI World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
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