IND vs SL, Asia Cup Final: Washington Sundar inducted in playing 11 less than 24 hours after arriving in Colombo

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Washington Sundar found a place in India's playing XI in the Asia Cup 2023 final in less than 24 hours after arriving in Colombo from Bengaluru. The 23-year-old, who replaced injured Axar Patel, flew in from Bangalore on Saturday evening.

Team India management including head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma did not think twice before naming Washington Sundar in the mega final at the R Premadasa Stadium against home team Sri Lanka.

With spin expected to play a key role, Washington Sundar was called as a like-for-like replacement Axar Patel sustained a left quadriceps strain during the dead rubber match against Bangladesh on Friday.

The presence of Washington Sundar increases India's batting depth and gives them a handy off-spin bowling option which they have missed throughout the tournament.

Axar is a left-hand spinner like Ravindra Jadeja and did not provide much variety in the bowling attack. Washington Sundar was preparing for the Asian Games and was part of the preparatory camp in Bengaluru the message was sent to him to join the Indian ODI squad in Colombo.

Washington Sundar would join the Asian Games camp after the final. He last played an ODI match for India in January this year. He suffered a hamstring injury in the IPL 2023 and could feature in only seven matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

The Tamil Nadu cricketer made a comeback in the Indian outfit in the 3-match T20I series in Ireland last month. Earlier, he also featured in Duleep Trophy matches for South Zone.

India Playing 11 Asia Cup 2023 Final: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul(w), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj