Axar Patel is replaced by Washington Sundar for the Asia Cup 2023 final match against Sri Lanka, and the BCCI updates the all-rounder’s injury status

As the great all-rounder Axar Patel has been formally ruled out of the crucial match against Sri Lanka, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian squad has suffered a significant setback hours before the Asia Cup final.

On Saturday, September 17, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the current continental tournament’s championship game between India and Sri Lanka will take place.

Axar’s withdrawal from the championship match was formally declared by BCCI, who also picked Washington Sundar as Axar’s substitute.

The board also verified that Sundar landed in Colombo on Saturday night and joined the team in time for the game. Due to a left quadriceps injury he suffered during India’s last Super Four match against Bangladesh on Friday, Axar had to be ruled out.

The bowling all-rounder has now been diagnosed with a left quadriceps injury, and the BCCI has announced that Sundar will take his place in the final.

Due to a left quadriceps injury suffered during India’s Super Four match against Bangladesh on Friday, Mr. Axar Patel will not play in the Asia Cup final versus Sri Lanka.

“Mr. Washington Sundar has been selected by the Men’s Selection Committee as a substitute. The all-rounder flew into Colombo this evening and has joined the team, according to a BCCI release.
The Indian team management is concerned about Axar Patel’s hamstring issue since he was struck repeatedly on his wrists and has only three weeks until the ODI World Cup at home.

India lost to Bangladesh by six runs in the match, which marked a disappointing end to their Super Fours campaign. Even though Shubman Gill scored his fifth ODI century and helped the side inch closer to victory, his valiant effort was in vain.

Axar maintained the momentum until the second to last over, when Mustafizur Rahman caught him for 42, just as it seemed he would lead the side to victory. With tailenders at the crease, India suddenly required 12 runs off the last over, but it was always going to be an incredible ask as Bangladesh secured the victory with one ball left.

Notably, the Men in Blue had already won their first two Super Four games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, qualifying them for the final.

The following players will represent India in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yada