IND vs Pak: Team India might be forced to change their winning combination for their upcoming Super 4 fixture against Pakistan, as all-rounder Axar Patel is under the cloud of missing Sunday’s encounter.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side topped Group A of the Asia Cup 2025, bagging three wins in three matches, and sailed comfortably through the first round of the competition.
Defending Asia Cup champions India beat the UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in the group stage. They will begin their Super 4 journey on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai, where they will once again meet rivals Pakistan.
India played the same XI in their first two matches and then made two changes for their third group game. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy were rested from the match against Oman. Both the bowlers are expected to return to the XI for Sunday’s important Super 4 match against Salman Agha’s side.
However, India are also fretting over an unexpected injury to Axar, and that could force them to make a change.
IND vs Pak: Here’s Why Axar Patel Could Miss Super 4 Match Against Pakistan On Sunday
Axar Patel suffered an injury on his head while fielding against Oman. Axar had bowled one over before getting injured in the 15th over of Oman’s innings, as he tumbled while attempting a catch and hit his head on the ground. Axar walked off the field and didn’t return. Rinku Singh substituted for Axar as a fielder.
While India’s fielding coach T. Dilip has suggested in the post-match press conference that Axar is “fine,” given this is a head injury, India might want to give Axar some more time to feel better. India played against Oman on Friday, and their clash with Pakistan is on Sunday, so it’s possible that India may opt to rest Axar, keeping in mind delayed concussions that people suffer.
Axar played a handy knock of 26 runs off 13 balls against Oman. This was his first chance with the bat in the Asia Cup. Against Pakistan, he had returned with figures of 2/18 and claimed 1/13 against the UAE.
If Axar Patel indeed misses the match against Pakistan, then India might retain Harshit Rana in the XI, while Bumrah and Chakravarthy could replace Arshdeep and Axar.
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