Pandya, Patel ruled out of Asia Cup

dubai — India suffered another injury blow after Hardik Pandya’s acute lower back spasm as left-arm spinner Axar Patel was also ruled out of the Asia Cup.

The 24-year-old Patel, who has played 30 one-day matches for India, injured his left index finger during the Group A game against Pakistan in Dubai on Friday. Patel was a substitute on the field when he suffered the injury. Pandya, 24, was stretchered off the ground after suffering an acute lower back spasm during the game against archrival Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday.

“All your love and support is going to make me come back stronger!” Pandya tweeted on Thursday. Pandya will be replaced by Deepak Chahar in the squad, the Indian cricket board said in a news release.

India, who beat Pakistan by eight wickets to top Group A, take on Bangladesh in a Super Four tie on Friday. The Indians will play Pakistan again on Sunday. Patel will be replaced by Ravindra Jadeja.

“He (Patel) was sent for scans and the results showed that he had a tendon tear. He will be unavailable for the remainder of the series,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said.

Siddhartha Kaul has been roped into the squad in place of right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur, who is nursing soreness in his hip and groin.