The Indian cricket team’s injury woes compounded on Thursday with spinner Axar Patel and speedster Shardul Thakur ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai.
The news comes a day after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the tournament with an acute back injury he suffered against Pakistan on Wednesday.
The en masse rule-out has led to growing concerns in the BCCI about injury management by the team's support staff.
Deepak Chahar has replaced Pandya in the squad, Ravindra Jadeja will come in for Axar, while Siddharth Kaul will be flown in as reinforcement for Shardul, the BCCI confirmed on Thursday.
Right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur experienced right hip and groin soreness after the game against Hong Kong. Santosh Ghosh
Pandya is undergoing treatment and assessment by the board’s medical team.
Left-arm spinner Axar injured his left index finger while fielding in Wednesday’s game against Pakistan. He was sent for scans and the results showed he had a tendon tear.
Right-arm pacer Shardul experienced right hip and groin soreness after the game against Hong Kong.
Chahar, Jadeja and Kaul will join the team on Thursday.