deepak chahar: Injured Chahar ruled out; Siraj, Shami, Shardul set to join India squad in Australia for T20 World Cup

Fast bowler Deepak Chahar, who was a strong contender to replace Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, was ruled out of the marquee event due to a back injury, BCCI sources said on Wednesday.

Chahar, a stand-by player for the World Cup, will be off the plane to fly to Australia, while the national selectors have asked pacers Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur to join the squad.

All three will fly to Australia on Wednesday night.

“Deepak will take some time to get fit. His back issue has flared up again. His ankle is fine and there was no problem. That’s why BCCI is sending three reinforcements, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur,” a A BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

One of the three fast bowlers will replace Bumrah in the 15-man squad.

Since the team has time till October 15 to announce Bumrah’s replacement, the team management has time to check the form and fitness of the three fast bowlers.

Chahar featured in the T20I series against South Africa, but developed a back problem and was forced to skip the ODI series. He reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation.

Chahar had missed cricket earlier this year for nearly six months due to a back injury following a hamstring rupture. He had come back during the Zimbabwe tour.

With the fast bowlers arriving in Australia on time, they will get ample time to adapt to the conditions. If their services will be needed, they will be up for competition.

Shami is leading the race with his artistry and experience, but Siraj excelled in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, where he became the player of the series. Siraj took five wickets in three matches, including three in the Ranchi ODI.

Shardul will provide cover to Hardik Pandya in his all-rounder ability but will most likely be on the stand-by list.

Ravi Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer are unlikely to travel for the time being and will join the squad only if the team asks for the replacement of the batsman.

Bishnoi will travel in case Yuzvendra Chahal is injured.

“Shreyas has been told that Deepak Hooda is fit, so he will be called only if a specialist batsman gets injured. He has been asked to play the Mushtaq Ali Trophy and be ready.”

Originally published at Pen 18