Axar Patel Suffers Another Blow Ahead Of World Cup, Ruled Out Of 3rd India vs Australia ODI

Axar Patel’s hopes of recovering in time for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 has suffered yet another blow as he has been ruled out of the upcoming third and final ODI against Australia.

The spin-bowling allrounder has been out of action since suffering an injury in his thigh during the Super 4 game against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023 earlier this month. The physio was seen taping his leg while he was batting in the game before the BCCI confirmed that the allrounder had suffered a left quadriceps strain.

He was replaced by Washington Sundar in the India squad for the Asia Cup final. For the ongoing series against Australia, Axar Patel was named in the squad for the third and final ODI but his participation depended on his recovery. And according to a report in Cricbuzz, he has failed to recover in time for the third ODI, scheduled to be played in Rajkot on Wednesday (September 27).

Axar Patel out of third ODI against Australia:

The report stated that Axar Patel has not sufficiently recovered to be included in the squad for the final ODI. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. With Axar Patel sidelined, India had recalled veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the series.

Ravichandran Ashwin has done well so far. After taking 1 for 47 in 10 overs in the first ODI, the Tamil Nadu ace picked up 3 wickets in the second ODI on Sunday (September 24). Axar Patel’s unavailability will further boost Ashwin’s chances of playing his third ODI World Cup and first since 2015. At the same time, several sources have reported that Axar Patel might recover in time for the World Cup.

A fit Axar Patel is likely to be preferred over Ashwin after he was named in India’s 15-member squad. With September 28 being the deadline to finalize the squad, India are likely to take the final call on Axar Patel’s participation.

Meanwhile, India have rested Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur for the third ODI against Australia. On the other hand, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav will be available after being rested for the first two ODIs. India have already sealed the series by winning the first two games.

India squad for the third ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj