He should be okay – Ajit Agarkar shares Axar Patel’s injury update ahead of World Cup

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed Axar Patel is fine and his quadriceps strain injury, which he suffered after the Super Fours stage match against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, is not that serious. After Axar Patel was ruled of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, Washington Sundar was named his replacement.

Axar hasn’t been in greatest of forms with the ball but he played a handy knock of 42 runs against Bangladesh. The left-hander can contribute with the bat while batting in the lower middle order.

Patel has not been picked for the first two ODIs against Australia but he has been named in the squad for the third game, subject to his fitness. Agarkar revealed that Patel should be fine for the upcoming World Cup.

Agarkar said at a press conference on Monday: “From what has been made known to us with Axar’s injury is that he should be okay. That’s a call we’ll make once we know that.”

“Axar, unfortunately, picked up an injury in that game, and we are hopeful that he will be fit.

“Washington Sundar was already part of the squad for the (Asia Cup) final, and Ashwin brings experience, so it gives us options in case there is a need at some stage to look at a couple of guys.”

The selection panel has added two off-spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar – for the first two matches against Australia but Agarkar added there is no need to speculate regarding Patel’s replacement.

“There are a couple of guys – Ashwin and Sundar. But, at least, it leaves us with options – these guys get a couple of games now. It gives the team management a few options if they need to go that way.

“If the need arises, we’ll have a look at it at that stage. I don’t think there’s any need to speculate right now. We are hoping that he (Axar) is fit.”

India will take on Australia in the first ODI at Mohali on Friday.