• Source:JND
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All-rounder Axar Patel will not participate in the third ODI against Australia in Rajkot as he is yet to attain full fitness after sustaining a left quadriceps strain in the Asia Cup Super Four match against Bangladesh.

Axar was picked in the third ODI squad subject to fitness. As per the Cricbuzz report, the left-arm spinner has not sufficiently recovered to be included in the squad. The southpaw is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

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With the World Cup just 10 days away, India will hope for Axar’s speedy recovery but it is also an opportunity for experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to make it the 15-member squad for the quadrennial event. Ashwin earned recall fo the ODI series against Australia after a hiatus of more than 18 months. He showcased his skills in the first two ODIs and picked four wickets displaying his prowess in the white-ball cricket.

Since the World Cup squad was announced earlier this month, the calls for Ashwin’s inclusion in the squad were all over. India have picked Kuldeep Yadav as a proper spinner while all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar are the two more spin-bowling option in the squad.

As per the report, Axar will be fit for the warm-up games and is on track for a return to the Indian team well in time for the World Cup.

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India have not announced the replacement for Axar for the final ODI yet. The hosts will be bolstered will the inclusion of captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, vice-captain Hardik Pandya and spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the third ODI.

Jasprit Bumrah is also set to join the team for the final ODI after missing the second match of the series to spend time with his family.

India will be without in-form Shubman Gill and pacer Shardul Thakur for the Rajkot ODI after selectors granted rest to the duo before the World Cup. India have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and the final ODI will be played on Wednesday in Rajkot.