Veteran India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was ruled out of the ongoing T20 series against Afghanistan due to a side strain. This injury made him doubtful for the upcoming Asian Games as well. He had recently recovered from a hamstring injury that he sustained on the tour of England in July. He claimed a wicket in the series opener against Afghanistan that India won comfortably, giving away just 16 runs in his four overs.

“It is a fresh injury. MRI has revealed that it is a side strain. He is out of the series and looks unlikely for Asian Games,” said a BCCI source.

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Meanwhile, the injury management at the Centre of Excellence has come under the scanner of late, with players getting injured frequently as well. Chakaravarthy joined the list. However, the fresh injury makes Varun Chakaravarthy highly doubtful for the Asian Games beginning on September 19 as well. India will also play a historic T20 against Japan on September 22 before starting their Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, on September 28.

Ahead of the series, Indian pace bowler Harshit Rana did not recover in time for the Afghanistan T20I series and Asian Games despite being in the original squad, subject to fitness as well. Yash Thakur then replaced him. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have also recently recovered from injuries as well.

The second and third T20I against Afghanistan will take place on Tuesday and Thursday as well.