Varun Chakaravarthy Ruled Out of Afghanistan Series With Side Strain

India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will miss the rest of the T20I series against Afghanistan after suffering a side strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the update on Tuesday.

Chakaravarthy felt discomfort in his left lateral abdominal region while bowling his third over in the series opener. Scans later revealed the injury, ruling him out of the remaining two matches.

Varun Chakaravarthy Injury Update

The injury happened during the first T20I against Afghanistan. Chakaravarthy had recently returned to the Indian side after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the England tour in July.

The spinner bowled four overs in the series opener, conceded 16 runs and took one wicket. India won the match by seven wickets.

However, the comeback lasted only one game. The latest scan confirmed a fresh side strain, and the spinner will now leave the Afghanistan series.

BCCI Confirms Side Strain

The BCCI said Chakaravarthy experienced sudden-onset discomfort while bowling his third over. The board added that scans had revealed a side strain.

He has therefore been ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against Afghanistan. No replacement has been mentioned in the available update.

The injury has come at an unfortunate time for Chakaravarthy. He had returned to the squad after a spell on the sidelines and was expected to play an important role in India’s spin attack.

Asian Games Participation in Doubt

The Varun Chakaravarthy injury has also created uncertainty over his availability for the Asian Games. The event begins on September 19.

India are also scheduled to play a T20I against Japan on September 22 before beginning their Asian Games campaign in Nisshin, Japan, on September 28.

His fitness will now be closely monitored. The latest reports suggest that his participation in the Asian Games is doubtful, but the final decision will depend on his recovery and medical assessment.

India Face Selection Challenge

Chakaravarthy’s absence leaves India without one of their key T20 spin options for the rest of the India vs Afghanistan T20 series.

Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel are among the spin choices already present in the squad. The team management will now have to decide how to balance its bowling attack for the remaining matches.

The Afghanistan T20I series is being played in New Delhi from September 13 to 17. India’s next two matches will be played without Chakaravarthy.

What’s Next for Varun?

The immediate focus will be on his recovery from the side strain. He is expected to undergo further assessment before any decision is taken on the Asian Games squad.

For now, the clear update is that Varun Chakaravarthy is out of the Afghanistan T20Is. His availability for the Asian Games remains uncertain.

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