Washington Sundar to join India squad in Colombo for Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka on Sunday

India has summoned allrounder Washington Sundar to replace the injured Axar Patel for the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka. Axar sustained minor injuries during India's six-run loss to Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage. Sundar, an off-spinner and left-handed batsman, was not initially part of India's ODI World Cup squad but will join the Asian Games 2023 campaign.

Currently, the off-spinner is in the camp for the Asian Games-bound cricket squad is ongoing in Bengaluru until September 23, and Sundar will rejoin it after the Asia Cup final. The 23-year-old last played an ODI in January and featured in India's second-string squad for the Ireland T20I series in August. The all-rounder has played 16 ODIs, scoring 233 runs and taking 16 wickets.

In contrast, Axar participated in two Asia Cup 2023 matches, performing decently with both bat and ball. Against Sri Lanka, he contributed 26 runs and bowled five wicketless overs for 29 runs. In the game against Bangladesh, he scored 42 runs and took 1/47 from 9 overs but couldn't secure victory as India fell seven runs short of the 266-run target. In response to Axar's injury, Sundar is set to bolster India's squad for the crucial Asia Cup final clash against Sri Lanka.

Maheesh Theekshana will also be missing the final

The Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana will also be unavailable for the Asia Cup 2023 final due to a strained right hamstring sustained in the team's previous game against Pakistan. A scan confirmed a muscle injury, which not only forced him out of the field during Pakistan's innings but also prevented him from participating with the bat during the run chase. In response to his injury, Sri Lanka Cricket selectors have announced Sahan Arachchige as his replacement, and Theekshana will return to the High-Performance Center for rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, the star mystery spinner is not the only player sidelined by injuries for the Asia Cup final. The team will also be missing the services of some of the key players such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara for the all-important. These injuries will pose a significant challenge for Sri Lanka as they face India in the final with several key contributors unavailable.