Deepak Chahar added to India squad for Australia T20Is as Mukesh Kumar leaves for his marriage

Deepak Chahar last played for India in a T20I in October 2022 against South Africa.

India started the five-match T20I series against Australia with two consecutive wins. All the seniors have been rested, and Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the new captain who is leading the young Indian team. After winning the first two games, the hosts have a great chance to seal the series in the third game, which is being played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Tuesday.

Australian captain Matthew Wade having won the toss, decided to bowl first. Australia have a number of changes on Tuesday with two World Cup-winning players sent back home and some new faces being added to the squad. Travis Head has made a comeback in the XI after resting from the first two games. On the other hand, India have made one change in the playing XI from the last match.

BCCI adds Deepak Chahar in place for Mukesh Kumar for the remainder of the series

However, ahead of the start of the third T20I, India made a forced change to their playing XI. Mukesh Kumar didn’t travel with the team to Guwahati, as he left the squad because of his marriage. That is why he is not part of the team. However, India have replaced him with Avesh Khan in the playing XI for the third game.

But the BCCI has added pace-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar to the squad for the coming games. In a statement released by the BCCI on Twitter (now X), they confirmed the decision. The BCCI said that Mukesh will be available for the 4th T20I and requested a leave from the third game.

BCCI’s statement read, “Update: Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the third T20I against Australia in Guwahati. Mukesh is getting married and has been granted leave for the duration of his wedding festivities. He will join the squad ahead of the 4th T20I in Raipur. Pacer Deepak Chahar has been added to India’s squad for the remainder of the series.”

Deepak Chahar played his last T20I for India in October 2022 in a home game against South Africa. He has played 24 T20Is so far and taken 29 wickets at an economy rate of 8.17. Chahar is a bankable new-ball bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He is also a pretty decent striker of the ball who can hit some big sixes. Meanwhile, India have a good chance if they can win the third game; they can also take an unassailable 3-0 lead with two more matches to play.

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