Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (September 16) has confirmed Washington Sundar as a replacement of Akshar Patel for the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka on Sunday in Colombo.
Akshar had to battle multiple injuries during his fighting knock of 42 runs in India's last Super-4 clash against Bangladesh, first hurting his right hand after a dive, then getting hit on the left forearm by a throw from a fielder, and also hurt his left thigh while running between the wickets.
The all-rounder tried his best to take India to a win despite being in pain, but fell in the 49th over, and India went on to lose the dead rubber by six runs to Bangladesh - their first defeat to the side in the tournament since 2012.
BCCI's media release states that the all-rounder suffered a left quadriceps strain and as a result won't be available for selection in the final. Washington Sundar has been chosen by the selection committee as his replacement, and the Tamil Nadu all-rounder has joined the team in Colombo on the eve of the final.
India’s squad for Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar.