Axar Patel Doubtful for Pakistan Clash After Head Injury Against Oman

India all-rounder Axar Patel is in doubt for the crucial Super Four clash against Pakistan on Sunday after suffering a head injury during the Group A match against Oman in Abu Dhabi.

The incident occurred in the 15th over of Oman's chase when Axar, fielding at mid-off, ran in to take a high catch off Hammad Mirza. He juggled the ball and eventually dropped the chance, losing balance and hitting his head on the turf. Axar appeared visibly distressed, clutching his head and neck before being escorted off the field by the physio. He did not return for the remainder of the innings.

Axar bowled just one over in the match, conceding four runs. India rotated through eight bowlers in their defense of 188, eventually securing a 21-run victory.

Despite fielding coach T Dilip stating in the post-match press conference that Axar was "fine", his availability for the Pakistan fixture remains uncertain due to the short turnaround—India have less than 48 hours before taking the field again in Dubai.

With Axar playing a dual role in the side, both with the ball and the bat—he struck a quick 13-ball 26 during a 45-run fourth-wicket stand with Sanju Samson—his absence could disrupt India’s balance. The team has favored a three-spinner strategy in Dubai, and Axar has been a key component of that setup.

If he is unavailable, India may be forced to reassess their bowling combination. Varun Chakravarthy, rested against Oman, and Kuldeep Yadav are the remaining specialist spinners in the squad. Alternatively, India could consider calling up one of their standby players—Riyan Parag or Washington Sundar—both of whom offer similar all-round capabilities.

India's squad management will be closely monitoring Axar's recovery ahead of the high-stakes encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan.