The Triumph

Team India couldn’t have timed their Asia Cup trophy haul better. Decimating Sri Lanka in a final at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo that lasted just 129 deliveries with Mohammed Siraj finishing with a record 6 for 21, India lifted their first-ever title in a multi-nation event in five years, with the win happening less than three weeks before the ODI World Cup at home.

Growing Injury Concerns

However, one of the major concerns about the Indian team pertains to the growing injury list ahead of the big tournament. On Sunday, after the record win in Colombo, captain Rohit Sharma provided a major update on Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer with the team now looking ahead to the home series against Australia.

• Axar Patel likely to miss first two ODIs against Australia
• Shreyas Iyer is 99% fit

Upcoming Series against Australia

India’s next and final assignment before the World Cup is a three-match ODI series against five-time champions Australia which begins from September 22 onwards in Mohali. The second game will be played on the 24th in Indore while the final tie will be on the 27th in Baroda.

Importance for World Cup Selection

The series will be a major factor in India finally deciding on their XI for the World Cup, which begins from October 5 onwards. India would want all their 15 players to be fit for the series.

Injury Updates

Iyer, who returned to the set-up after seven months of layoff, hurt his back yet again after appearing in just one game. Axar, on the other hand, was ruled out after incurring a blow in the match against Bangladesh on Friday and hence Washington Sundar replaced him in the Asia Cup final.

Rohit Sharma provided with an injury update on the two. He said, “Axar Patel is likely to miss the first two ODIs against Australia while Iyer is 99 per cent fit.”

If Axar misses the two matches, BCCI is likely to announce his replacement, and it is unlikely to be Sundar given that he will be part of the Asian Games squad later this month in China.

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