Why is Axar Patel not playing today's IND vs SL 3rd T20I?
Team India went into the third T20I against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, July 30, without the services of all-rounder Axar Patel.
With the Men in Blue having already clinched the three-match series 2-0, the Indian think tank decided to rest the versatile cricketer for the dead rubber. Apart from the left-arm spinner, the visitors have also decided to give a break to three other key players.
The start of the third and final India vs Sri Lanka T20I in Pallekele on Tuesday was delayed due to a wet outfield following some rain. The toss, scheduled to take place at 6:30 PM IST, was eventually held at 7:40 PM. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first keeping the pitch and conditions in mind.
Speaking at the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the visitors have made four changes to their playing XI for the third T20I in Pallekele. Apart from Axar, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh have also been rested.
Opening batter Shubman Gill has returned to the playing XI after missing the second T20I due to neck spasms. Meanwhile, all-rounder Washington Sundar, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, and middle-order batter Shivam Dube also get a game.
Axar was impressive in the first two T20Is for India
Left-arm spinner Axar claimed four wickets for Team India in the first two matches at an average of 17 and an economy rate of 8.50. The 30-year-old registered figures of 2-38 in the first T20I. Both his wickets came in the same over, the 15th of Sri Lanka's chase. The spinner sent back Pathum Nissanka (79) and Kusal Perera (20) to derail Sri Lanka's innings after they were set to chase 214 runs.
In the second T20I of the series, also played in Pallekele on Sunday, the Gujarat all-rounder ended with figures of 2-30 from his four overs. He kept things tight from one end and was rewarded with the scalps of lower-order batters Ramesh Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana.
A key figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph last month, Axar has featured in 62 T20I matches and has claimed 62 wickets at an average of 23.01 and an economy rate of 7.38.