All-rounder Axar Patel has been confirmed as unavailable for the upcoming third and final ODI the IND vs AUS series scheduled for September 27 in Rajkot. Patel had suffered a left quadriceps strain during the Asia Cup and has not fully recuperated, making him unfit for the match. His absence in the third ODI provides a lifeline for the veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently staged an impressive return to the ODI format after being away for eighteen months.
Ashwin’s outstanding performance in the series has caught the eye, as he managed to secure four wickets in two matches with an impressive economy rate of 5.18. His three-wicket haul in the Indore game proved crucial in unsettling the Australian batting lineup.
However, there are reports suggesting that Axar Patel might be ready to make a comeback for the World Cup warm-up matches. This situation is posing a challenging decision for selectors, including Ajit Agarkar and his team. While Ravichandran Ashwin’s chances of making it into the World Cup squad look promising, the selectors have not yet announced a replacement for Axar Patel in the upcoming Rajkot match.
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The Indian management might also have found Ashwin’s performance on a challenging pitch against a not fully-equipped Australian batting lineup quite refreshing, given the lack of variety in India’s initially selected spin trio, which comprised three left-armers in Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.
With India already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the return of key players such as captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya for the third ODI in Rajkot is expected to bolster the team’s prospects.
This match serves as the final international encounter for both India and Australia before they face each other once more in their respective opening matches of the Men’s ODI World Cup, scheduled for October 8 in Chennai. The absence of Axar Patel highlights the significance of player fitness and selection decisions leading up to the prestigious tournament.
India’s squad for 3rd ODI against Australia
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj
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