Every cloud has a silver lining. Virat Kohli and the India will be hoping that is the case following injuries to fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Washington Sundar.
Bumrah injured the thumb on his left hand during the first T20 against Ireland and scans revealed a fracture. The Indian team management has decided to rest Bumrah for the three-match T20 series against England which begins in Manchester on Tuesday.
All-rounder Sundar was ruled out of the two-match T20 series in Ireland after injuring his ankle while playing football during training.
The twin injuries mean golden opportunities to other players. While Bumrah’s loss is set to be seamer Deepak Chahar’s gain, Sundar’s injury has opened the doors for all-rounder Krunal Pandya.
Chahar has been called up as a replacement for Bumrah in the T20 series against England and he could sneak into the ODI team as well if the management decides to hold Bumrah back for the five-match Test series in August. Even if that doesn’t happen, it will be a remarkable turn of events for Chahar.
5/27 in 10 overs vs WI-A. Well done, Deepak Chahar. Keep performing the same way and a test call-up for India’s tour to England might not be too far fetched. #IndAvWIA
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 25, 2018
The 25-year-old fast bowler from Rajasthan impressed one and all during IPL 2018, forming a lethal new-ball partnership with South African quick Lungi Ngidi for Chennai Super Kings.
He was then selected for India ‘A’ team’s tour of England and has excelled in the 50-over format. After picking up three wicket hauls in two warm-up matches, Chahar picked up five wickets against West Indies ‘A’ in the tri-series followed by a two-wicket burst against the same opposition.
His ability to swing the ball both ways with a strong action action and good pace, coupled with his more than handy lower-order hitting power have made Chahar a possible long-term prospect for India in all formats.
Krunal, the elder brother of India all-rounder Hardik, is another player who has fought hard to attract the attention of the senior team management.
The left-arm spinner is a wily bowler in the middle overs and an attacking lower order batsman who has been knocking on the doors of the Indian team for more than a few seasons. However, Ravindra Jadeja in Tests and Axar Patel in ODIs are ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, Krunal offers more with the bat than the other two left-arm spinners which makes him the perfect candidate to replace Sundar in the T20 squad.
Kohli and the coach Ravi Shastri will get a chance to know what Chahar and Krunal are made of during the three-match T20 series against England. The long tour of England was always going to throw up opportunities to those on the fringe of the senior team to stake their claim for a spot in the playing XI. Now is the chance for two of the most hard-working limited overs players in the Indian domestic circuit.
