- Dec 2, 2024
- Oct 17, 2022
Allrounder Washington Sundar has been announced as a replacement for seamer Deepak Chahar in the Indian squad for the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa. Chahar last featured in the third T20I against the Proteas on Tuesday and complained of stiffness in his back after the game.
The seamer’s absence from the team during the first ODI on Thursday raised many eyebrows. It was earlier reported that the 30-year-old twisted his ankle in a training session ahead of the game on Thursday at the Ekana Sportz City Stadium in Lucknow. But the Indian Cricket Board has now clarified that Chahar has an issue with his back.
The Rajasthan seamer will now head back to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will be monitored by the Medical Team. The back injury would be specially monitored as he had injured the area during this year’s Indian T20 League and missed four months of cricket when he was in top form.
Chahar recently made a return to the Indian team in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in August. He featured in just six matches – four T20Is and two One-Dayers – before being ruled out once again. Chahar was also in contention to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian squad for the 20-20 World Cup. Seamers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are now the front runners to replace the pace spearhead of the Indian team.
Meanwhile, Sundar, who last played for India in February will also be making his return to the national side after a spate of injury setbacks. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who had a fruitful stint in county cricket with Lancashire, was ruled out of India’s Zimbabwe tour with a shoulder injury.
India and South Africa will once again lock horns in the second ODI on Sunday at Ranchi. South Africa are leading the series 1-0 after their nine-run victory in the first ODI.
India’s squad for South Africa ODI series: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar.