Asia Cup 2023: Washington Sundar replaces Axar Patel as Sri Lanka win toss opt to bat vs India

India brought Washington Sundar into the playing XI for the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Sundar had joined the Indian cricket team on Friday as a replacement for injured Axar Patel. Meanwhile, at the toss, Dasun Shanaka made the right call and decided to bat.

India had made a flurry of changes for the dead rubber against Bangladesh on Friday. All those players returned to the playing XI alongside Sundar who had flown into the island nation only two days ago.

Asia Cup Final LIVE: India vs Sri Lanka

Axar Patel, who produced a valiant effort in the losing cause, picked up a left quadriceps strain which has not only ruled him out of the title clash but would most definitely hurt his chances of playing against Australia next week. Furthermore, there’s no clarity if he will be fit in time for India’s World Cup opener against the same opponent on 8 October.

“Everyone’s back after the rest in the last game, Axar is injured so Washington Sundar comes in for him,” said India skipper Rohit Sharma at the toss.

Sri Lanka, too, were forced into making a change induced by injury. Maheesh Theekshana, who suffered a hamstring injury, made way for Dushan Hemantha. Unlike Axar, Theekshana is expected to be ready for the World Cup.

“We’ll bat first. Seems like a good wicket, there will be some turn in the afternoon. Last year, we weren’t able to get these crowds but this time we are really fortunate. I’m very pleased with the youngsters – Wellalage, Pathirana, Samarawickrama. It is a good team and the results are there, this is a good boost for the World Cup,” said Shanaka at the toss.

At the pitch report, Sanjay Manjrekar and Dominic Cork pointed out it’d be wise to bat first. Rohit Sharma declared he would have liked to have batted if they’d won the toss.

“Would have batted first too, looks like a dry pitch. We are confident of chasing down whatever Sri Lanka put on the board. This is a good chance to go aggressive with the ball and see what the surface has to offer. We came really close last game, anything about 240 on this surface is good. Our job today is to do well with the ball, and then see what we can do with the bat,” said Sharma.

Four minutes before the scheduled start time, the covers were brought on after drizzle delayed start to proceedings. Even if the match is disrupted by rain on Sunday, there is a reserve day for the final.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(w), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana