3 Players who can replace Axar Patel in India squad if he gets ruled out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Axar Patel got injured in Asia Cup 2023 and might be doubtful for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Team India suffered a 6-run defeat on Friday against Bangladesh in the last match of the Super Four in the Asia Cup 2023 in Colombo. They were in the game until Axar Patel was batting at the crease. But despite taking a couple of blows, Axar scored a fighting 42 off 34 but couldn't take India over the line. During his innings, he fell awkwardly and looked in a bit of pain.

The physiotherapist came and applied spray to his hand. But in the very next over, he was hit at the same spot by a ball and was seen in severe pain. This could be an injury scare for India ahead of the ODI World Cup. Though the Indian camp hasn't revealed any updates, Axar was seen uncomfortably. Hence, in case he gets ruled out of the upcoming World Cup, India need someone who can replace him.

Three players who can be ideal replacement for Axar Patel for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

1. Washington Sundar:

Washington Sundar can be a like-to-like replacement for the all-rounder. Sundar can also bat like Axar Patel in the lower-order and is pretty capable. However, Sundar bowls off-spin, which will add variety to the Indian attack as currently all three are leg-spin bowlers in the World Cup squad. Sundar has played 16 ODIs and taken 16 wickets at an economy rate of 5.06, and he can bowl in the power-play, which will be another option for the Indian captain.

2. Ravi Ashwin:

Ravi Ashwin is another great option if India need a replacement for Axar Patel. Ashwin needs no introduction to the game; he is currently among the best off-spinners in modern-day cricket, but India prefer him largely in test cricket. But because the World Cup will be played in India, Ashwin can be lethal on Indian pitches. In 113 ODIs, he has taken 151 wickets at an economy rate of 4.94 and a best of 4/25. Ashwin played his last ODI in January 2022 against South Africa, but he has also improved his batting ability now.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal:

There was a huge noise when Yuzvendra Chahal was dropped from the Asia Cup and the World Cup. The veteran leg-spinner has been a consistent performer for India in the shorter format, but since Kuldeep Yadav's comeback, he has been sidelined a bit. Chahal is a street-smart bowler who is a wicket-taker in the middle order. India need him to make a deadly combo with Kuldeep Yadav, as both spinners have shown already. Chahal has played 72 ODIs and taken 121 wickets so far.