Revealed: Why Axar Patel replaced Shardul Thakur in India XI for IND vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match

Axar Patel has replaced Shardul Thakur in India's playing XI in the IND vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match.

India are just one step closer to find themselves in the finals of Asia Cup 2023 as they face Sri Lanka in their second super four clash. A victory against Pakistan by a margin of 228 runs previous night has increased their chances. However, as the teams lined up for the crucial match, there was one notable change in Indian lineup Axar Patel stepped in for Shardul Thakur.

After a convincing victory over Pakistan, team India are riding high on confidence and momentum. The stakes are clear, a win against Sri Lanka would guarantee their place in Asia Cup 2023 finals.

As the coin went up, India won the toss and elected to bat first. While this decision may not have surprised many, the change in the playing XI did raise some eyebrows. Axar Patel, the left-arm spinning all-rounder, was chosen to replace Shardul Thakur, who played a crucial role in the previous match against Pakistan.

'We've made a tactical change,' Rohit Sharma on Axar Patel replacing Shardul Thakur

Rohit Sharma, Indian captain, elaborated on this change with a straightforward explanation, "The pitch looks a little dry and there's no grass on the pitch, that's why we've made a tactical change. We will play with three spinners, Axar Patel comes in and replaces Shardul Thakur. We have three fast bowlers and three spinners in our line-up for the game." India captain Rohit Sharma said at the toss.

Rohit Sharma not only highlighted the strategic thinking behind the switch but also underlined the adaptability of Indian team based on the pitch conditions.

The decision to bring in Axar Patel, a spin bowling option, was clearly influenced by the surface at hand. With the pitch appearing dry and lacking grass cover, it was expected to assist the spinners more than the fast bowlers. By including Patel, India aimed to bolster their spin attack, creating a balanced combination of three fast bowlers and three spinners.

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj