Deepak Chahar ruled out of remaining IND-SA ODIs: Here's why
In a major blow, Indian seamer Deepak Chahar has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs against South Africa. Chahar, 30, complained of a stiff back post the T20I series against SA and missed the first ODI as well. All-Rounder Washington Sundar, who last played an ODI in February 2022, replaces him. India currently trail the three-match series 0-1. Here's more.
A look at the developments
Chahar returned to the internationals after six months in August, having undergone a complete recovery from a back injury. He aced the Zimbabwe one-dayers and found decent success in the SA T20Is, including a brisk 31 with the willow in Indore. He hurt his back post the 20-over duels and will now head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further rehab.
How has Chahar's international career panned out?
A noted swing bowler, Chahar debuted in the 20-over format in July 2018 and forayed into the ODIs a few months later. He has so far affected 29 T20I dismissals at 24.24. He clocked his best figures in the format (6/7) against Bangladesh in Nagpur in 2019. As for ODIs, the right-armer has collected 15 wickets in nine appearances, averaging 27.66
Sundar shone on County debut
Sundar, who was roped in by Lancashire for England's domestic season, grabbed a five-fer (5/76) on debut against Northants in July. He garnered eight wickets across two red-ball duels, averaging 24.75. On the batting front, he scored 52 runs including 34* on debut. As for the 50-over matches, Sundar pocketed three wickets and scored 30 runs in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Sundar's numbers in international cricket
Sundar marked his ODI debut in 2017. The off-spinner has featured in only four matches, clipping five wickets at 28.00. He chimed in a handy 33 in his last one-dayer against West Indies. He has impeccable numbers in T20Is, having claimed 25 scalps at a distinguishable economy of 7.24. Meanwhile, Sundar has affected six dismissals across four Tests, besides scoring 265 runs at 66.25.
SA clinch a nail-biting triumph
SA were off to a decent start as the openers added 49 runs. India hit back, reducing the visitors to 110/4 in the 23rd over. However, Klaasen and Miller added a century-plus stand to aid their side, maximizing at the death. Chasing 250, India were 51/4 before Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson struck fifties to resurrect the innings but fell short (240/8).
No timeline recovery for Chahar
The extent of Chahar's injury and his timeline of recovery is yet to be discovered. It's concerning news for Team India, given the T20 World Cup kicks off on October 16. And, India are already without the services of T20 ace Jasprit Bumrah owing to his back injury. Chahar was expected to fly Down Under post the SA one-dayers and join the WC squad.
India's updated ODI squad
India's updated ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.
