The highly-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 is just a week away but Team India is still facing a huge selection call. Spin-bowling allrounder Axar Patel was named in India’s preliminary World Cup squad but is doubtful for the tournament due to a thigh injury.

He sustained the injury while batting during the Super 4 game against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023 and has been out since then. Axar Patel was replaced by Washington Sundar in the Indian team for the Asia Cup. And for the recently concluded series against Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin was given a surprise recall.

The veteran spinner had played just two ODIs since 2018 before being recalled. Washington Sundar was also a part of the squad while Axar Patel was conditionally included in the team for the third ODI. Ravichandran Ashwin played in all the three ODIs of the series while Sundar managed to play just one.

Muttiah Muralitharan on Axar Patel’s replacement:

Reports have suggested that Axar Patel is unlikely to recover in time for the World Cup. In such a scenario, the selectors will have to make a big call. With both Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar in contention to replace Axar Patel, it would not be easy for the selectors to pick one.

And while time will tell who gets the nod for the World Cup, former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to get the nod. Speaking on Star Sports, the legendary spinner said: “I am not a selector of India, and also both (Ashwin and Axar) of them are great cricketers and great spin bowlers.

“They have already picked Axar Patel in the 15, and if Axar Patel is definitely injured, then I think Ashwin will get the nod because they put Sundar and him in but still gave Ashwin a chance to play in this match. So that means if Axar is injured and he can’t get into the side, then definitely Ashwin comes in,” he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin was a part of India’s squad for the 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cup. On the other hand, Sundar is yet to play an ODI World Cup.

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