In a big blow to Team India right ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 final, star all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury he sustaining during the clash against Bangladesh. However, in a like for like replacement another star all-rounder Washington Sundar has been included in India's squad for the summit clash against Sri Lanka which will be held on September 17, Sunday.
Earlier, Sports Tak had reported that Sundar swiftly flew to Sri Lanka to bolster India's squad stationed in Colombo ahead of the all-important clash. This inclusion follows Axar's unfortunate injury in the intense Super 4 clash against Bangladesh which India lost by six runs.
Axar picked a hamstring niggle after he faced a few blows on his wrists during the Bangladesh clash. On top of it Axar hurt his little finger and was also struck on his forearm by a powerful throw from the deep during the match and from the boundary. Axar played a gutsy knock of 42 off 34 but couldn't take India past the finishing line.
BCCI issued a statement that the star all-rounder has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 final due to a left quadriceps strain and Sundar has been called as his replacement.
"Mr. Axar Patel has been ruled out of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka due to a left quadriceps strain sustained during India's Super Four match against Bangladesh on Friday."
"The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr Washington Sundar as a replacement. The all-rounder arrived in Colombo this evening and has joined the squad," read the statement by BCCI.
The Indian team management is more concerned about Axar's hamstring problem than the swelling on his forearm, especially with the ODI World Cup just three weeks away.
Sundar, who last featured in an ODI in January 2023, is expected to be a backup for Ravindra Jadeja. But if Axar's injuries prove to be severe, Sundar could receive a last-minute inclusion in the squad.
As the team gears up for the grand Asia Cup finale against Sri Lanka, here's India's updated squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and the latest entrant, Washington Sundar.
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