Axar Patel ruled out of 3rd ODI against Australia, may return for the warm-up matches of upcoming ICC World Cup 2023

After Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur were rested for the last match of the series against Australia, the Indian team faces another major setback now. According to Cricbuzz, Axar Patel has also been ruled out for the 3rd ODI against Australia. This is because of the left quadriceps strain that Axar has been dealing with for a while. 

While the Indian team would be departing for their 3rd ODI held at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat, Axar would be staying behind for his recovery.

Axar’s injury also ruled him out for the Asia Cup 2023 final and Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar flew to Colombo at the eleventh hour to replace him.

However Axar’s injury has also raised questions for him to be a full fledged part of the ICC World Cup 2023 hosted by India. There are players eyeing for Axar place if he couldn’t recover on time. One of them being Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Yesterday India beat Australia by 99 runs and leads the series by 2-0. Ashwin also contributed to the team’s triumph as he secured 3 wickets for 41 runs (7 overs). With one match left for the series, Ashwin seems to have no intentions of letting go of a crucial spot for the big tournament ahead. Apart from Ashwin, Washington Sundar is also in the discussion for Axar’s replacement.

It is expected that Axar may recover on time for the warm-up matches of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 and also play for the team at the tournament as well. Currently Axar is under rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.