Replacement for Axar Patel set to join Indian team ahead of Asia Cup 2023 Final against Sri Lanka

India have faced a blow just ahead of the final of the Asia Cup 2023 final against the hosts, Sri Lanka. Star all-rounder Axar Patel was reported to have niggles after the super-4 match against Bangladesh at the RPS in Colombo. Although his injury’s intensity is still not clear and known.

But it has been learned that he could not be available for selection in the summit clash of the tournament against Sri Lanka. Axar is speculated to have sustained the injury while he was batting for India in the second innings against Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the young all-rounder Washington Sundar (23) has been called up by the management to join the squad ahead of the title clash. He is currently in Bengaluru with Team India’s second-string squad for the Asian Games 2023; he might come back to the Bengaluru camp after the conclusion of the final of the Asia Cup 2023.

Washington Sundar to leave Bengaluru camp to join India squad for Asia Cup final

Coming back to Axar, he was one of the key performers for India in the last super-4 match against Shakib Al Hasan’s men. He scored 42 runs off 34 balls, hitting 3 fours and two sixes. He was one of the reasons to keep India in the game till the last ball.

Speaking of the match, India were chasing the target of 266 runs posted by Bangladesh; the men in blue couldn’t go past the line and got restricted to the score of 259 runs, losing all the wickets in 49.5 overs. The brilliant century scored by the young opener Shubman Gill (121 runs, 8 fours and 5 sixes) went in vain the Bangladesh bowlers held the nerves in the end to end their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on a winning note.

Axar Patel's replacement Washington Sundar will fly with the Asian Games squad to Hangzhou, China to be a part of the continental competition; young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading the side in the tournament with young boys in the squad.