India were dealt a double injury blow ahead of their limited-overs clashes against England with Washington Sundar joining Jasprit Bumrah on the sidelines.
Pacer Bumrah was ruled out of the three-match T20I series after injuring his thumb off his own bowling during the first T20 between Ireland and India at Dublin. While the fast bowler’s injury was initially suspected to be a lot worst, he is now said to be in contention for the ODI series which will follow the three T20 clashes.
Rajasthan pacer Deepak Chahar, who is currently on a tour of England with the India ‘A’ side, has been called in to replace Bumrah for the T20I series. Chahar impressed with the new ball in hand for champions Chennai Super Kings in the recent IPL and has been in good wicket-taking form in the ongoing tri-series in England also involving the English Lions and West Indies ‘A’ team.
Krunal Pandya is in frame to replace the injured Sundar.
Sundar, who landed awkwardly on his right ankle during a game of football ahead of India’s first T20 clash against Ireland, is said to have been ruled out of the England T20 series too. While there has been no official confirmation on the spinning all-rounder’s injury status as of yet, reports suggest that he will be replaced by Krunal Pandya.
Krunal too, like Chahar, has been in England for some time now with the India ‘A’ squad after showing some consistent performances for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
The T20 series between England and India is due to get underway on Tuesday at Old Trafford in Manchester. The ODI series to follow will begin on June 12.
