Head coach Rahul Dravid hinted that injuries to the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel could cost India going into the ODI World Cup and makes the task of managing players “trickier”.

Iyer could only play the first two games of the just-concluded Asia Cup due to a back spasm, and this was after his six-month injury lay-off.

Left-arm spinner all-rounder Axar was ruled out of Sunday's Asia Cup final due to a left quadriceps strain. Both the players though are still part of India’s World Cup squad.

The Indian team management seems confident of Iyer's quick recovery, but Axar may miss the first two of the upcoming three home ODIs against Australia beginning on Friday.

“All teams are in a similar position. Injuries so close to the World Cup could really cost you. We just need to keep our fingers crossed, trust our processes.

“We are in a tricky situation where some guys need to be rested, while some guys need some cricket. It is a tricky balance to achieve,” Dravid said before the start of the Asia Cup final at the Premadasa in Colombo.

Besides Iyer, KL Rahul had also made a comeback from injury in this Asia Cup and went on to do well, something that certainly bodes well for Team India ahead of the 50-over showpiece at home.

Sri Lanka, who were thrashed in the final by India, are also grappling with injuries to some of their key players. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana ended up missing Sunday's final, having torn his oblique muscle.

His spin colleague Wanindu Hasaranga, along with quicks Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera, missed the whole of the Asia Cup due to injuries.

Written with PTI inputs