India vs Australia 2023
‘Jaldi theek hokar team join kar bhai’ – Fans react as Axar Patel gets ruled out of 3rd ODI against Australia
Team India’s star cricketer, Axar Patel, who had already missed the first two ODIs against Australia, is set to miss the third ODI set to take place on September 27 at Rajkot. Notably, India’s great all-rounder sustained injuries during the Super Four clash against Bangladesh in the 2023 Asia Cup. The 29-year-old was replaced by Washington Sundar in the Continental Cup. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee also named off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as his replacement, along with Sundar, in the ongoing series against Australia.
Notably, this is a blow for the Men in Blue, but Ravichandran Ashwin’s presence is boosting India’s spin attack. The great spinner scalped three wickets during the second ODI against Australia in Indore and looked in terrific form. Meanwhile, the reports suggest that Axar Patel will join the squad ahead of the ODI World Cup warm-up fixtures. Earlier, the 29-year-old all-rounder was named in the third ODI after getting a break in the first two ODIs.
According to sources, if Axar Patel doesn’t get fit till the ODI World Cup, one can witness Ravichandran Ashwin at the marquee event. “Axar’s unavailability raises hopes that Ravichandran Ashwin, who has replaced the left-arm spinner, could potentially participate in the World Cup. Ashwin has displayed outstanding form in the first two ODIs, securing four wickets and, more notably, showcasing top-notch bowling skills that have seemingly troubled Australian batters, especially during the match in Indore on Sunday,” the Cricbuzz report read.
Axar Patel is on track for a return to the Indian team well in time for the World Cup: Report
Meanwhile, Indian Cricket Board sources claim that the left-arm spinner is on the way to getting fit. Notably, the southpaw was chosen ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin in the series against Australia and the ODI World Cup 2023. In addition, the sources confirmed that the left-handed batter will return to the track in the ODI World Cup.
“This has led to calls for his inclusion in the World Cup squad. However, sources within the BCCI suggest that Axar, who was selected ahead of Ashwin, is on track for a return to the Indian team well in time for the World Cup,” the Cricbuzz report read,” it added further.
Check out how fans have reacted to the report:
Jaldi theek hokar team join kar bhai jaroorat hai is time team ko
— Ankit Kumar Verma (@ankitvtweet) September 25, 2023
Bad luck for Axar but he will be back stronger!
— World Index 📊 (@ImMahadev18) September 25, 2023
but we want ashwin anna 😎 pic.twitter.com/2NpaoFzJoR
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) September 25, 2023
Which means he still isn't fully fit.
— Extraa Cover (@ExtraaaCover) September 25, 2023
Ash anna in World cup… let's go! pic.twitter.com/N05S432eyS
— Parth Goyal (@StocksRoyale) September 25, 2023
Ashwin to Afridi pic.twitter.com/iCWi8Jo4mz
— Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad_bobak) September 25, 2023
Axar > ashwin 🥴
— Dr. Maulik Modi (@iamthemaulik) September 25, 2023