India vs South Africa ODI Series: In another injury case, Deepak Chahar will miss the final two One Day Internationals against South Africa due to a stiff back. The seamer had also been absent from the opening ODI in Lucknow.

All-rounder Washington Sundar is added to the ODI team as a replacement. India must win both of their remaining games because they are down 1-0 in the series with South Africa.

As for Chahar, he would travel to Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA). The medical staff would keep an eye on him, according to a BCCI media statement. The severity of the harm or the timeframe for healing is still unknown.

India’s first T20 World Cup game is on October 23 in Australia. India has already lost pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to injury. Chahar’s problem assumes additional relevance. Chahar and Mohammed Shami are both in reserves as fast bowlers.

History of Chahar’s Injury

Due to injury, Chahar had already missed six months of action this year. He first tore his quadriceps during the T20I series against the West Indies in February. He developed a back problem while receiving treatment at the NCA. Chahar did not play again until India’s trip to Zimbabwe in August. He missed the subsequent IPL.

Since a back injury during this year’s IPL and missed four months of cricket, the back injury would be closely watched. Unfortunately, this happened just as his stock price was rising. India has two exhibition matches against Australia (17 October) and New Zealand (Oct 19).

The team could not afford to lose another fast bowler to injury after already losing Bumrah and all-arounder Ravindra Jadeja, two crucial assets. Additionally, Chahar’s injury came at the worst possible time. Bumrah’s replacement was set to be announced two days from now on October 9. the deadline for confirming the team.

What Officials Said

In the statement BCCI said. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee named Washington Sundar as a replacement for Deepak Chahar for the remainder of the ODI series against South Africa.”

“We will soon get an update on Chahar. He had back pain on eve of the game and was not comfortable at all. The team management decides to send him to NCA. Further scans will be conducting there. Primarily, it looks like a back and hip injury,”

India will play the second ODI in Ranchi on October 9 and the final ODI in Delhi on October 11 while trailing the series 1-0. South Africa, which will be looking for direct qualification to the Cricket World Cup in 2023. The team is playing for important ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points. India has already qualified because they are hosting the competition.

Updated India ODI squad against South Africa

Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer (vice-capt), 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