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Indian team fielding coach T Dilip says Axar Patel is fine after his injury, but his availability for the Pakistan clash in Dubai remains uncertain.
Axar Patel hurt his head while fielding against Oman (Picture credit: AP)
Indian team fielding coach T Dilip has assured that Axar Patel is ‘fine’ after banging his head onto the field while trying to take a catch, but the immediate impact that the injury produced, making Axar leave the field and not come back, might put him in doubt for Sunday’s big clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Sprinting in from mid-off to take a skier from wicketkeeper Hammad Mirza in the 15th over of Oman’s chase, Axar juggled the catch and spilt it, losing his balance and crashing headfirst onto the field.
Axar was spotted holding his head and neck as the physio escorted him off the field and he didn’t take any further part in Oman’s chase.
Axar bowled just a single over, giving away four runs, as India rotated eight bowlers en route to a 21-run victory over Oman.
While India’s fielding coach Dilip described Axar as ‘fine’ at the post-match press conference, the quick turnaround between matches could pose a challenge. India have under two days to gear up for their clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai.
Axar was one of multiple Indian batters who enjoyed a solid stint at the crease against Oman.
Batting at No. 5, Axar smashed a 13-ball 26, fueling a brisk 45-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sanju Samson, who led the scoring with 56 in India’s 188/8.
The Indian bowling attack, without ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, did not look exceptional but just about kept Oman at bay during the final overs.
If Axar misses the Pakistan clash, India might be forced to abandon the three-spinner strategy they have relied on in all their Dubai matches, unless a replacement is brought in. Washington Sundar is one spin-bowling all-rounder that India named in the standby list for the tournament.
Chakravarthy, who was rested against Oman as India opted for an extra pacer and Kuldeep Yadav are the side’s two specialist spinners.
September 20, 2025, 07:52 IST
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