Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be available for the third ODI against Australia after being given a one-match break, but all-rounder Axar Patel will be given a few more days to recover from his quadriceps tear ahead of the World Cup, BCCI sources said. Monday. While Ravichandran Ashwin has done decently in his two outings, the team management is still optimistic about the fitness of Axar, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder. “The team management wants to give Axar the full chance of recovery. His forearm and finger bruises have healed, but he may be fit for the World Cup in a few days. India’s first match is on September 8, so there is still time.”
“As far as Ashwin is concerned, we now know that he is match fit and in rhythm. If Axar doesn’t make it, Ashwin will come in,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The final selection announcement will be on September 27 and it is understood that Axar still remains the team management’s first choice for the reserve spinner ahead of the Tamil Nadu veteran.
It is understood that young batting star Shubhman Gill and bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur have been given a few days’ rest ahead of the third ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday.
As per the team’s rotation policy, Bumrah, who has been given a few days off to freshen up, is back along with skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav. Gill, who has been playing continuously, can cool his head for 3-4 days along with Shardul Thakur,” the source added.
Ruturaj, Mukesh released for Asian Games
India Asian Games cricket team captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played the first two ODIs, has been dropped from the squad as he will join the team going to Hangzhou. Also released is pacer Mukesh Kumar, who came on as cover for Bumrah, who was given a break.
It is understood that Washington Sundar will also leave on the night of the match or the day after.
While the Indian World Cup team will not have any traveling net bowlers, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar will be called up as and when required.
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