Mumbai: The Indian team management decided to fly Washington Sundar to Colombo a day before the Asia Cup final against hosts Sri Lanka.
The off-spinning allrounder has been called up as cover for Axar Patel, who took a couple of knocks on his wrist and forearm while batting in the final Super 4 match against Bangladesh on Friday.
Axar’s gutsy 42 wasn’t enough to take India over the line in the inconsequential match, which Bangladesh won by 6 runs.
According to a PTI report, Axar has swelling in the forearm as well as a hamstring problem.
Shubman Gill, whose brilliant century proved futile, said at the post-match press conference last night that there was no major concern with Axar and the pain was ‘temporary’.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with Axar. I think that was temporary and nothing to worry about,” Gill had remarked when asked about the left-arm spinning allrounder.
With the World Cup less than three weeks away, the team management obviously don’t want to take a chance with Axar who is part of the 151-member squad.
The other factor is India’s team composition for the final. The pitches at Premadasa Stadium have been aiding spinners, and Rohit Sharma wants to have the option of playing three slow bowlers on Sunday. The in-form Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are automatic choices, but if Axar is not fit, Sundar can come into the playing XI.
Sundar, who is part of the Asian Games squad, will head to Bengaluru after the Asia Cup final for a two-week preparatory camp.
India will eye gold medal in the T20 competition to be held at Hangzhou, China.
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