Axar Patel's replacement announced on the eve of India vs Pakistan

As India prepares for the high-voltage Super Four clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai, the big question is who could replace Axar Patel if he is ruled out. Axar Patel’s role as a spin-bowling all-rounder makes him a rare asset, and there is no direct replacement for him in the current India squad.

Sharing his thoughts on this situation, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra pointed out that players like Washington Sundar or Krunal Pandya could have been natural choices. But Sundar is only among the standbys, and Krunal is not part of the squad, leaving India without a proper replacement.

Aakash Chopra backs Harshit Rana over Arshdeep Singh as Axar Patel’s replacement

However, Chopra believes that the Men in Blue might have to bring in an extra bowler, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana being the two main candidates to replace Axar Patel in the playing XI for the crucial Super Four clash against Pakistan in Dubai.

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The cricket pundit feels Harshit Rana looks like a more balanced choice since he can chip in with the bat as well, but his inclusion would still not fully cover the batting depth that Axar usually provides at number eight, as India wants the batting till that deep.

Axar Patel’s like-for-like replacement is not available: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said on ESPNCricinfo: “How I see this is that Axar’s like-for-like replacement is not available. That player does not exist in the squad. If there was, say, Washington Sundar or Kurnal Pandya, Washi would be in the standbys and Kurnal would be nowhere to be seen. So, if either of the two were available, it is a straight swap; you get them in, and your balance does not get affected.

But in this case, because those options are not available, you will have to go to a bowler, and that bowler is either Ashdeep Singh or Harshit Rana. I'll be tempted to go towards Harshit Singh, even though Harshit will give you a bit more batting.”

Aakash Chopra warns India against a false strategy

Meanwhile, Chopra has pointed out that India already relies on Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Abhishek Sharma for a few overs, but stretching that further could hurt the team’s balance. He also mentioned that Rinku Singh’s inclusion just to lengthen the batting lineup may not solve India’s problem, saying they should go for a proper bowler in the playing XI.

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Chopra signed off by saying, “I'd say play a proper bowler because you're already looking for four overs between Hardik, Shivam, and Abhishek. I mean, you don't want to look for eight with another batter, adding Rinku Singh to the squad because you want batting at eight. I think that will be a false strategy.”

How Axar Patel gave India a headache?

Notably, Axar Patel suffered an injury while trying to take a catch in India’s final group-stage match against Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 at Abu Dhabi. The incident happened when the all-rounder sprinted from mid-off to grab a leading edge off Hammad Mirza’s bat, which came from a back-of-a-length delivery bowled by Shivam Dube.

Although Axar reached the ball, it slipped through his hands, and in the process, he landed awkwardly. His head hit the ground hard, leaving him in visible pain. The all-rounder had to walk off the field immediately after the fall, and there is no clarity whether he will play against Pakistan.