Abu Dhabi (Rajeev Sharma): India’s star all-rounder Axar Patel is facing a race against time ahead of their Super Four clash with Pakistan, after sustaining a head injury during India’s Group A encounter against Oman in the 2025 Asia Cup. The injury, which occurred while fielding, has left fans and management alike anxious, as his participation in the highly anticipated match remains uncertain.
Patel, renowned for his batting and bowling contributions, was injured while attempting a catch during the 15th over of Oman’s chase. The ball, played by Hammad Mirza, was mishit and sent in Patel’s direction. As he tried to gather the ball, he lost his grip, fell, and hit his head hard on the turf.
Though India’s fielding coach T. Dilip confirmed that Patel “looks fine” post-match, the short turnaround between games—less than 48 hours—has added uncertainty about his fitness. With a pivotal match against Pakistan on the horizon, the team’s medical staff are closely monitoring Patel’s recovery.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Team Balance at Risk
Axar Patel’s potential absence poses a significant challenge for India’s squad. As an all-rounder, he provides crucial balance, offering depth to the batting order while also contributing with the ball. His injury could force India to adjust their playing XI, leaving them with just two spinners in the form of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. In such a scenario, India may look to field an additional pace bowler to maintain a potent attack, but this would leave the team with fewer options in the spin department.
Moreover, Patel’s explosive batting at the lower order, as seen in his 26-run cameo off 13 balls against Oman, has been a key asset for India in accelerating the scoring in the latter stages of an innings. Without Patel, India might need to rely more heavily on their top-order or middle-order batsmen, creating an additional burden on players like Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant.
Patel’s Role in the Oman Match and What His Injury Means for India
In the match against Oman, Patel had a relatively quiet day with the ball, bowling just one over for four runs. India used a total of eight bowlers in the victory, and Patel’s minimal involvement with the ball may lessen the impact of his absence in that department. However, his all-round prowess in the team allows flexibility, especially in high-pressure situations.
India’s management now faces a dilemma: will they risk playing him, knowing the importance of this Super Four clash, or will they be forced to make a change in the squad? If Patel cannot recover in time, there are options available in the form of Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar, both of whom are part of India’s standby list. Parag, with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, or Sundar, a dependable left-arm spinner, could slot in as potential replacements.
