Indian Cricket Suffers Major Blow as Key Player Injured During New Zealand Series
Axar Patel Injury Update: Indian cricket fans received concerning news as star all-rounder Axar Patel sustained an injury during the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand, casting serious doubts over his participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The left-arm spinner was forced to sit out the second T20 match at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan International Cricket Stadium, raising alarms about India’s World Cup preparations.
How Did Axar Patel Get Injured?
The injury occurred during the first T20 International when Axar Patel was bowling the 16th over. New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell smashed a powerful shot toward long-off on the third delivery. Axar attempted to stop the ball with his left hand, but the sheer pace caused the ball to deflect off his fingers, resulting in immediate bleeding.
The team physio provided on-field treatment before captain Suryakumar Yadav agreed to take him off the field. While skipper Surya confirmed Axar’s absence for the second match during the toss, he didn’t provide details about the severity or recovery timeline.
T20 World Cup 2026 Participation in Doubt
With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, time is running short for Axar’s recovery. If the injury proves more serious than initially assessed, India may need to make a crucial replacement decision.
Ravi Bishnoi: The Probable Replacement
According to cricket sources, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is the frontrunner to replace Axar Patel if needed. Bishnoi is already with the Indian squad, having been called up as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar.
Ravi Bishnoi’s T20I Statistics
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| T20I Matches | 42 |
| Wickets Taken | 61 |
| Economy Rate | 7.35 |
| Batting Innings | 13 |
| Runs Scored | 55 |
| Highest Score | 9* (not out) |
Impact on India’s Team Balance
Axar Patel’s potential absence would be a significant setback for Team India. The all-rounder provides crucial balance with both bat and ball, contributing valuable lower-order runs alongside his economical spin bowling.
While Bishnoi brings impressive bowling credentials with 61 wickets in 42 matches, his batting remains a major weakness. With just 55 runs across 13 innings and no fifty in domestic cricket either, India’s batting depth would suffer considerably.
Also Read: Silver Price Breaks $100 Barrier: What Investors Need to Know
Axar vs Bishnoi: Key Comparison
The contrast between the two players highlights India’s dilemma:
- Axar Patel: Genuine all-rounder, can bat in middle order, provides left-arm variety
- Ravi Bishnoi: Specialist leg-spinner, excellent economy, minimal batting contribution
What This Means for India’s World Cup Campaign
Losing Axar Patel would force India to reassess their team composition strategy. The management would need to find alternative solutions for lower-order batting strength while maintaining spin bowling quality ahead of the crucial tournament.
Team India’s medical staff will be working round the clock to assess Axar’s injury and determine the fastest recovery path. Cricket fans across the nation will be hoping for positive news in the coming days as the World Cup approaches rapidly.
The next few days will be critical in determining whether Axar Patel can recover in time or if Ravi Bishnoi will get his opportunity to shine on cricket’s biggest stage.
Team Cricket Duniya is a dedicated group of sports and entertainment writers specializing in cricket news, match previews, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With strong domain expertise and a passion for the game, the team delivers accurate, timely, and well-researched content covering international cricket, domestic tournaments, and trending sports stories. Alongside cricket, the team also covers key developments in sports entertainment, ensuring readers receive reliable insights and engaging coverage from the world of sports and entertainment.
