India Name Replacement for Injured All-Rounder in 2023 World Cup

India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has undergone a last-minute change due to an injury setback.

Axar Patel, the spin-bowling all-rounder, has unfortunately been unable to recover from a left quadriceps strain sustained during an Asia Cup Super Four match against Bangladesh. This injury prevented him from participating in the Asia Cup final.

In light of Axar’s unavailability, the experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named as his replacement. Ashwin recently made a remarkable return to One Day International (ODI) cricket during the series against Australia, where he claimed four wickets in just two matches.

Although Axar was conditionally included in the squad for the final ODI, contingent on his fitness, he missed the game in Rajkot, which India ultimately lost by 66 runs.

India is counting on Ashwin’s vast experience to fill the void left by Axar. Furthermore, Ashwin adds an off-spinning dimension that was previously absent in India’s World Cup squad, a factor that could prove pivotal as the tournament progresses and pitches start to deteriorate.

The 37-year-old Ashwin also brings the benefit of having played on the global stage, having featured in the 2011 and 2015 editions of the World Cup for India. In the tournament held Down Under, Ashwin took an impressive 13 wickets in eight matches, contributing to India’s run to the semi-finals.

Rohit Sharma, in the aftermath of the three-match ODI series against Australia, emphasized that India has a clear plan for their 15-member squad in the World Cup, and these changes will not disrupt their approach to the tournament.

Despite Axar’s absence, India boasts a nearly full-strength side, with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah all making successful comebacks from long-term injuries. These three stars have made significant contributions in the lead-up to the tournament.

Rahul marked his comeback with a sensational century against arch-rival Pakistan in the Super Four Asia Cup encounter. Iyer also displayed his prowess with a century in the second ODI against Australia.

India will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 07 against the five-time champions, Australia, in Chennai. Prior to the tournament, Rohit Sharma’s men will engage in two warm-up fixtures, with the first one against England on September 30th, followed by a match against the Netherlands on October 03.

Here is India’s World Cup squad:

Rohit Sharma (c)

Hardik Pandya (vc)

Shubman Gill

Virat Kohli

Shreyas Iyer

KL Rahul

Ravindra Jadeja

Shardul Thakur

Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj

Kuldeep Yadav