IND vs SL: Revealed- Why Shardul Thakur Is Not Playing Today's Match vs Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma-led Team India will play for the third day in a row in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Rain forced their first Super 4 game against Pakistan to go into the reserve day. Shardul Thakur was the only change that team India made in the game against Sri Lanka. Shardul Thakur was made to sit out for Axar Patel.

The India vs Pakistan clash was scheduled to take place on Sunday (September 11). However, less than 25 overs were bowled before rain brought a premature end to the day’s proceedings. The match was then completed on Monday (September 11).

India did not let the rain break affect them as they thrashed Pakistan by 228 runs to start their Super 4 campaign in style. India will be in action once again on Tuesday (September 12) when they take on co-hosts Sri Lanka. And while it was expected that India would play the game with the same playing eleven after the impressive win over Pakistan, they have made one change.

Shardul Thakur has been left out of the playing eleven for the crucial match. Shardul Thakur bowled four overs against Pakistan and picked up the big wicket of Mohammad Rizwan while conceding 16 runs. Speaking at the toss, captain Rohit Sharma confirmed the news and also made it clear that the decision was not influenced by Shardul Thakur’s performance but by the conditions.

Confirming that Shardul Thakur has made way for spinner Axar Patel in the playing XI, Rohit Sharma stated that the decision was taken because of the dry pitch. Axar’s addition means India are playing the game against Sri Lanka with three spinners in the team. The other two spinners are Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rohit Sharma Reveals Reason Behind Choosing Axar Patel Over Shardul Thakur

“The pitch looks different, looks a lot drier and there’s no grass and hence we bring in Axar for Shardul. It might assist the spinners but we also have three quality pacers,” said Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma was also asked about playing for the third consecutive day in the competition. In reply, the India captain did not complaint much and said:

“We are going to have a bat. That’s the challenge you come across as a sportsman, different challenges thrown at you as a player and as a team. We ensured everyone got into the pool after the game last night. They are fresh as we had five days off before these two games.”

Meanwhile, India will be looking to continue their impressive run and book their place in the Asia Cup 2023 final. A win against Sri Lanka will book India’s place in the final of the tournament. The Men in Blue are riding high on confidence after thrashing Pakistan by 228 runs.

India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj