As the excitement builds for the Cricket World Cup 2023, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has offered important updates on the fitness and availability of key players in the squad. While India showcased their prowess by emerging victorious against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Final at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the absence of several crucial players has left some uncertainty surrounding the team composition for the upcoming World Cup on home soil.
Captain Rohit Sharma has sought to allay concerns by expressing confidence in the team’s overall health before the tournament begins. He specifically addressed the situations of Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer, assuring fans that both players are on the path to a full recovery well ahead of the World Cup’s opening match on October 8.
Axar Patel, a versatile spin-bowling all-rounder, faced a wrist injury and a minor tear in his left quadriceps during the Asia Cup. These injuries kept him sidelined for the latter part of India’s triumphant campaign. Rohit Sharma conceded that Axar may miss a portion of the lead-in series against Australia but remains optimistic about his availability for the World Cup.
Regarding Axar’s condition, Rohit commented, “It looks like maybe a week or ten days (to heal), I don’t know. We have to see how that injury progresses… Some guys recover quickly, and I hope that’s the case with him. I am not sure whether he will be able to play the first two games against Australia at home. But we will wait and see.”
Shreyas Iyer, another crucial member of the squad, faced minor back spasms that kept him out of action during the Asia Cup. However, Rohit Sharma has received promising updates about Iyer’s recovery, stating that he is “alright 99 per cent as of now.” He added, “He looks good, he batted and fielded for long hours (as part of his build-up to full fitness), and he was on the ground long before we came to the ground. I don’t think it is a worry for us.”
In addition to Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma also addressed the status of Ravichandran Ashwin, a spin-bowling all-rounder. Despite not being called up for the Asia Cup final as a replacement for Axar, Ashwin remains in contention for a spot in India’s World Cup squad. Rohit emphasized that Ashwin was still very much in the running and had been in communication with him.
“The injury happened to Axar at the last minute. Washington was available, so he had to come and perform the role for us,” Rohit explained. Washington Sundar, who filled in for Axar, was chosen due to his last-minute availability, having been prepared for India’s Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou, China.
Rohit Sharma stressed the importance of clear communication with players about their roles within the team and assured that everyone is aware of their standing in the squad.
With the World Cup on the horizon, these updates provide a reassuring glimpse into the health and readiness of India’s key players, instilling confidence among fans and setting the stage for an exciting tournament on home turf.