Fresh Blow for India! Varun Chakravarthy ruled out of Asian Games 2026 - Reports
(Courtesy : BCCI/X)
Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out with an injury after the first T20I against Afghanistan.
India’s preparation for the upcoming multi-team tournament in the Asian Games began with the Men in Blue competing against Asian rival Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in September. However, India suffered a massive setback as Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, was sidelined from the series due to an injury.
The spinner made his comeback to the Indian team after he had suffered an injury during the England T20I series. His much-anticipated return was cut short during the opening game of India’s tour of Afghanistan T20I series. He played the first match against Afghanistan in New Delhi and bowled a spell of four overs without conceding a single boundary.
Varun Chakravarthy’s injury rules him out of Asian Games – Reports
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Following the opening game, Chakravarthy was declared to have sustained a new injury. He has been ruled out of the remainder of the series against Afghanistan after suffering a fresh side strain.
According to Sports Today, Varun Chakravarthy has now been ruled out of the Asian Games after the fresh injury suffered during the Afghanistan series.
The BCCI stated that Chakravarthy experienced sudden discomfort in his left lateral abdominal region while bowling his third over of the first T20I. MRI scans then revealed that the side strain is severe enough to rule him out of the Asian Games as well.
Following his economical spell against Afghanistan in the first T20I, Chakravarthy was expected to play a crucial role in India’s campaign at the Asian Games. India are the defending champions of the Asian Games, as they were the gold medal winners in the previous edition in 2023.
The tournament begins on the 24th of September, and the Indian men’s side are scheduled to play their first match on the 28th of September. However, the contingent is likely to travel to Japan at least a week prior to the start of the games. This timeline, hence, makes Chakravarthy’s comeback completely impossible.
Chakravarthy’s latest setback is a significant blow to India’s plans. India will have to replace the mystery spinner with another wrist spinner. However, Ravi Bishnoi is already part of the Indian squad travelling to Japan for the Asian Games.
Why has Varun Chakravarthy been ruled out?
Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out due to a side strain suffered during the IND vs AFG 1st T20I.
When will the Asian Games Men’s Cricket event begin?
The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition will begin on September 24, 2026.
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