Varun Chakravarthy Ruled Out of Afghanistan T20I Series, Asian Games Trip in Doubt

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against Afghanistan after scans revealed a side strain, dealing a fresh injury blow to the Indian squad just months after he returned from a lengthy layoff. The 35-year-old had picked up the injury during India's seven-wicket win in the series opener in New Delhi on Sunday, where he returned figures of 1 for 16 in his four overs.

"It is a fresh injury. MRI has revealed that it is a side strain. He is out of the series and looks unlikely for Asian Games," a BCCI source said, confirming that Chakravarthy has been released from the squad and will travel to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further scans and rehabilitation.

Asian Games participation now in doubt

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Chakravarthy, as it comes just days before India's Asian Games campaign begins in Japan. India are scheduled to play a historic T20 fixture against Japan on September 22, ahead of the start of their Asian Games campaign in Nisshin from September 28. With the fresh strain, Chakravarthy's participation in either fixture now looks highly unlikely, according to team sources.

The setback is especially frustrating for the mystery spinner, who had only recently returned to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during India's tour of England in July. His return in the Afghanistan series opener had been seen as a positive sign for India's spin-bowling depth ahead of the Asian Games and the busier home season that follows.

Injury concerns mount at the CoE

The latest fitness setback has again put the spotlight on India's injury management processes at the National Cricket Academy's Centre of Excellence, which has seen a string of players return from rehabilitation only to suffer fresh injuries in quick succession. Pacer Harshit Rana was already ruled out of the Afghanistan series and the Asian Games despite being named in the original squad subject to fitness clearance, with Yash Thakur brought in as his replacement. Other frontline players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar, have also returned from injuries in recent months.

India, who lead the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan 1-0 after their opening win, will look to seal the series when the two sides meet again at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with the third and final match to follow on Thursday. The team management will now have to decide on a replacement spinner for the remainder of the series and assess options for the Asian Games squad in Chakravarthy's likely absence.

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