IND vs BAN
Washington Sundar, a last-minute replacement before the Asia Cup final matchup against Sri Lanka on Sunday, joined the Indian team in Sri Lanka. The all-rounder takes the place of Axar Patel, who was struck many times on his wrist and forearm while batting in India’s six-run loss to Bangladesh on Friday.
Axar Patel is ruled out of the Asia Cup final
Axar strained his left quadriceps during India’s Super Four match against Bangladesh, the BCCI confirmed on Saturday night.
He won’t be available for the final as a result.
Much before the news became public, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik intrigued fans with a cryptic tweet that revealed the same.
🚨 NEWS: Washington Sundar replaces Axar Patel
Mr. Axar Patel has been ruled out of the #AsiaCup2023 final against Sri Lanka due to a left quadriceps strain sustained during India's Super Four match against Bangladesh on Friday. #TeamIndia
Details 🔽https://t.co/CNZ2DDlBBa
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 16, 2023
Internet reacts
“Washington Sundar bumped into me at the airport
“Guess where he’s off to Twitter?” he wrote.
Shubman Gill, in the meantime, told reporters earlier that there were no serious issues with Axar and described the pain as “temporary”.
During the post-game news conference, when asked about the all-rounder’s condition after the match against Bangladesh, Gill responded, “I don’t think there is anything wrong with Axar. I believe that was only momentary and is unimportant.
Concern over Axar Patel’s bowling
Although it’s difficult to say whether Axar’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the Indian team given his current form, While the all-rounder has been effective with the bat, it is his bowling that has cast doubt on his selection.
In the Super 4 stage of the tournament, Axar received his first opportunity against Sri Lanka. After that, Axar contributed with a critical 36-ball 26, bringing India’s total in 49.1 overs to a modest 213/10. Then, while playing in a losing cause, he followed it up with a brilliant 34-ball 42 against Bangladesh.
