The final squad announcement is scheduled for September 27, and it is widely known that Axar is still the top choice of the team management for the reserve spinner position.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be returning for the third ODI against Australia after taking a one-match break. However, all-rounder Axar Patel will require a few more days to recover from his quadricep tear before the World Cup, according to sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Despite Ravichandran Ashwin's satisfactory performance in his two appearances, the team management remains concerned about Axar's fitness. Axar, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, is highly valued by the team.
"The team management wants to give Axar 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 September 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 on conditions of anonymity.
The final squad announcement is scheduled for September 27, and it is widely known that Axar is still the top choice of the team management for the reserve spinner position, surpassing the Tamil Nadu veteran.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the young batting sensation, Shubhman Gill, and the versatile bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, have been granted a few days of well-deserved rest before the third ODI in Rajkot 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.
India's Asian Games cricket team captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played in the first two ODIs, has been released from the squad as he will join the Hangzhou-bound outfit. Additionally, pacer Mukesh Kumar, who was covering for Bumrah during his break, has also been released.
In contrast, the Indian World Cup-bound team will not have any traveling net bowlers. However, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Mukesh Kumar will be called upon as and when needed.
(With PTI inputs)
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