'You Haven't Got An Answer': Former India Cricketer Questions Team's No.5 Fiasco

India travelled to Sri Lanka to compete in the Asia Cup 2023 and finalise their combination for the upcoming ODI World Cup. The team, however, did not specifically addressed the issue as they continued to rely heavily on their top order. With India scheduled to play their first World Cup match on October 8, the concern for a specified No.5 continues to haunt the team.

3 things you need to know

• India will face Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 final 
• The Asia Cup final will be held on September 17 in Colombo
• Washington Sundar has replaced Axar Patel in India's squad

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Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra pointed out that India have not got an answer to their No.5 despite naming Ishan Kishan at the designated position. "You will still find Ishan Kishan at No. 5 although you haven't yet got an answer to the No. 5 question," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel. 

India will face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on September 17. Ahead of the final, Chopra called Washington Sundar's addition to the squad "completely out of the box".

"The breaking news is that Washington Sundar has been sent to Sri Lanka. He has already landed. You might see him playing in the final as well. He is completely out of the box because there is a slight injury concern for Axar Patel," Chopra said. 

Sundar arrived in Colombo on the eve of the final after Axar Patel was ruled out of the summit clash due to a left shoulder quadriceps strain. Chopra opined that Sundar may play in the final as the team is missing an off-spinner. 

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"You might see Washington Sundar playing because another spinner should be played here and we are missing an off-spinner as well. There will be changes in this team. They rested everyone in the last match. Now there is no need to rest, this is the final," Chopra said. 

"After that Ravindra Jadeja, and then can it be either Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur, or will Axar Patel get fit miraculously? I feel Sri Lanka should make a turning pitch, so I would say you will see either Axar or Washi playing. Then it will be Kuldeep, Bumrah and Siraj. So there is no place for Shami and Shardul Thakur."

Aakash Chopra's India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.