Axar Patel Ruled Out of Rajkot ODI, Expected to be Fit For World Cup: Report – News18

Allrounder Axar Patel has reportedly failed to recover from injury he picked during the Asia Cup 2023 and therefore has been ruled out of the third and final ODI between India and Australia to be played on Wednesday.

Axar wasn’t part of the India squad selected for the first two games but was included for the third subject to fitness. However, it’s being reported that the left-arm spinner could get fit in time for India’s warmup games ahead of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.

Also Read: Gill, Shardul Rested from 3rd ODI in Rajkot

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Axar is still recovering from a left quadriceps strain and undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Axar picked up the injury during India’s Super 4 clash against Bangladesh following which he missed the final of Asia Cup. Washington Sundar was flown in as his replacement and played in the title clash as India went on to win the trophy.

India called up Ravichandran Ashwin for the ongoing three-match series with Australia at home and the offspinner has been quite impressive in the opening two matches.

With Ashwin producing a good show, the problem of plenty continues to swell for the Indian team management who will have a good selection headache during the world cup.

Also Read: India Legend’s Blistering Take on Gill Despite Century

The deadline for naming a final 15-man squad for the world cup is September 27

India have already have bagged the series with comfortable victories in the first two ODIs played in Mohali and Indore. The hosts though will reportedly will be without Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur for the third ODI as the duo has been rested in the lead up to the world cup.

A host of senior players, who were rested from the first two games, will be making their return in Rajkot including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav.