India’s all-rounder, Axar Patel, will be absent from the third and final ODI against Australia due to a left quadriceps strain. Despite being conditionally selected for the Rajkot ODI, Axar hasn’t made a full recovery and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Axar’s absence has opened up the possibility of Ravichandran Ashwin’s participation in the World Cup. Ashwin has performed impressively in the first two ODIs, securing four wickets and showcasing exceptional bowling skills that have troubled Australian batters.
There is growing demand for his inclusion in the World Cup squad. However, sources in the BCCI suggest that Axar remains on track for a timely return to the Indian team, potentially making him available for the World Cup warm-up games. As of now, Ashwin’s prospects look promising, and no replacement has been announced for Axar in the upcoming game.