Axar Patel injury update: Team India's left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel is on the road to recovery after suffering a quadricep tear during Asia Cup 2023. BCCI sources told PTI on Monday that Axar will be given a few more days to recover ahead of ODI World Cup 2023. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled quite well in his recent two outings against Australia in first two ODIs and if Axar doesn't get fit in time, Ashwin walks in for the ICC event. "The team management wants to give Axar a full chance of recovery. His forearm and finger bruises have healed but may be in another few days, he would get fit for World Cup. India's first match is on October 8 and hence there is time.
"As far as Ashwin is concerned, we now know that he is match fit and in rhythm. If Axar can't make it, Ashwin walks in," a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.
For all teams participating in ODI World Cup 2023, last date for submitting final World Cup squads to ICC is September 27. Axar Patel continues to be the preferred choice of the team management for the role of the reserve spinner, ahead of senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Shubhman Gill, the promising young batsman, and Shardul Thakur, the versatile bowling all-rounder, have been granted a brief period of rest leading up to IND vs AUS 3rd ODI in Rajkot, scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
"As per rotation policy of the team, Bumrah, who was given a couple of days off to freshen up is back along with skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav. Gill, who has been playing continuously gets to cool his heels for 3-4 days along with Shardul Thakur," the source added.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played first two IND vs AUS ODI matches, and Mukesh Kumar, who was included in India squad in 2nd ODI to cover up for Jasprit Bumrah, have been released from India squad for third and final ODI in Rajkot as they will now join the Asian Games 2023 Hangzhou-bound Indian contingent.