Varun Chakravarthy’s fitness is becoming a little concern for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14.
Chakravarthy was seen walking off the field during the second qualifier of the present Indian Premier League between his club Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.
The 30-year-old, has been named in India’s 15-man squad for the multi-team competition. He has been in excellent form in the league. He has taken 18 wickets at an average of 22.77 and a fantastic economy rate of 6.40 in 16 games.
However, having previously failed fitness tests, the leg-spinner has not been one of the fittest members of an otherwise agile Indian side.
Meanwhile, India announced on October 13 that all-rounder Shardul Thakur will be replaced in the T20 World Cup squad by Axar Patel, as well as that eight players – Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Harshal Patel, Lukman Meriwala, Karn Sharma, Shahbaz Ahmed, and K Gowtham – will stay in Dubai after the IPL and join the Indian team’s bubble to help them prepare for the tournament.
Varun Chakravarthy limping off wasn’t a good sign …
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 13, 2021
Hardik Pandya’s participation in the tournament
The Super12 teams have till October 15 to complete their T20 World Cup lineups.
“Teams can change their teams seven days before the start of their support period. India’s support period starts with the Super 12 which begin on Oct 23. So, they have time to change the team till Oct 15 at midnight,” a BCCI Source told TOI.
“It’s not decided if Hardik will be dropped altogether if he doesn’t get bowling ready. But he is running out of time as an allrounder.
“The selectors will wait and watch on how Hardik shapes up in the next few days.
“The selectors went with just three genuine pacers because it was believed Hardik would be fit enough to bowl his quota of overs. Since he hasn’t bowled at all in the IPL, there’s no form to go by.”
India, who are in Group B, will begin their campaign on October 24 against arch-rival Pakistan.