The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on October 08 (Saturday) announced that star all-rounder Washington Sundar will replace injured Deepak Chahar in India's squad for the remaining two ODIs against South Africa. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee named Washington Sundar as replacement for Deepak Chahar for the remainder of the ODI series against South Africa,” the BCCI said in a release.
“Mr. Chahar had a stiffness in his back after the third and final T20I against South Africa in Indore and did not feature in India’s Playing XI in the first ODI in Lucknow. He will now head back to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and will be monitored by the Medical Team there,” the release added.
Sundar, who has represented India in all three formats for the game, last played for the country in an ODI game versus West Indies on February 11, 2022. Since then, the all-rounder's selection has been hindered by injuries.
The right-arm off-spinner and left-handed batter's IPL 2022 campaign was restricted to just nine matches after he picked up a hand injury while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The dreaded COVID-19 and a hamstring injury had earlier hampered Sundar to play cricket.
Meanwhile, Indian pacer Deepak Chahar joined the list of injured Indian bowlers after the unfortunate injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the T20 World Cup which will happen in Australia from October 26. Chahar sustained a stiff back during a training session before the first match against South Africa in Lucknow.
The side that played South Africa in the first ODI on Friday, October 06, was without Chahar, with India losing by nine runs in the opening match with the visitors scoring 250 in just 40 overs.
"Deepak Chahar has a stiff back, and not a twisted ankle, because of which he has been ruled out of the last two ODIs against SA. He has moved to NCA in Bangalore and is likely to fly to Australia with Mohd Shami on October 16," a source told Sports Tak on Saturday.
Chahar was not on the final squad but was in line to be drafted in to replace the injured star pace Bumrah, whose absence was confirmed on Monday, October 3.
"So it will be team management's call if they would like to risk Deepak as he is on the T20 World Cup standby list. In any case, if there is a requirement there, it would be a priority," according to PTI sources.
As of now, Jasprit Bumrah's replacement in the T20 World Cup squad is Mohammed Shami, who is returning to match fitness and is expected to fly to Australia within the next three to four days.
"Mohammed Shami, if fit, was always going to be the first replacement as that's the closest Indian team can get in terms of sheer quality. He will be joining sometime next week," the source added.
(With PTI inputs)
