Who can replace Varun Chakaravarthy if injury forces him out of Asian Games 2026 too? Know 3 potential replacements

India’s Asian Games preparation took a big hit as their ace spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against Afghanistan due to a side strain. The injury, confirmed via an MRI scan, puts his upcoming participation in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan under serious threat.

Varun Chakaravarthy doubtful for Asian Games 2026

The setback comes as a cruel blow considering Chakaravarthy had only just made his international return from a hamstring injury incurred during the England tour in July. He looked in fine touch during Sunday's opening win against Afghanistan, delivering an economical four-over spell of 1/16. However, a official BCCI source confirmed that the newly surfaced side strain makes his recovery timeline extremely tight ahead of the tournament.

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Losing Chakaravarthy presents India with a major selection headache rather than a minor lineup shuffle. As one of the country's premier attacking T20 wicket-takers, his rare mystery spin profile was expected to be a lethal weapon on Japanese pitches. Finding a direct replacement who can match his wicket-taking impact under pressure will be a formidable challenge for selectors at this crucial stage.

Take a look at Varun Chakaravarthy's potential replacement for Asian Games:

1. Kuldeep Yadav

Recalling Kuldeep Yadav represents the most reliable option for selectors. While his recent form has dipped and he appears to have fallen down head coach Gautam Gambhir's preferences across formats, his raw skill remains unquestioned—highlighted by a recent ten-wicket haul in county cricket. His disappointing IPL campaign was largely tied to fitness struggles rather than skill. Once fully fit, Kuldeep possesses the rare attacking potency and wrist-spin mystery capable of troubling unfamiliar opposition batters at the Asian Games.

2. Krunal Pandya

Opting for Krunal Pandya serves as a pragmatic, short-term patch if the team management views Chakaravarthy's absence as a brief setback before his long-term return. Pandya finished as the top Indian slow bowler last year, claiming 14 wickets with an economy rate of 8.41. A instrumental figure in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back title runs, he has established himself among the elite T20 left-arm spinners over the past two seasons, offering defensive control that would prove difficult for Asian Games opponents to hit. While pairing him with Axar Patel creates an overlap of two left-arm orthodox spinners, Pandya provides greater versatility and lower-order batting depth compared to other domestic alternatives like Harsh Dubey.

3. Yash Raj Punja

The decision ultimately hinges on how Indian management approaches the tournament. Should they view the Asian Games through a strictly conservative lens, turning to a 20-year-old may seem unlikely. However, if the goal is to leverage favorable conditions against relatively inexperienced opposition, integrating Yash Raj Punja offers an exciting long-term prospect.

Drafting him into the XI for the remaining two fixtures against Afghanistan would provide a low-risk environment to initiate his international transition. Punja is widely regarded as a star for the future, and surrounded by experienced hands like Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, he could adapt smoothly without the burden of having to carry the spin attack on his own.