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Shashank KishoreESPN
Injury woes and hectic scheduling have led to Ravindra Jadeja‘s return to the ODI squad, more than a year since he last featured in a 50-over game for India. He will fly in as a replacement for Axar Patel, who didn’t feature in both league games of the Asia Cup so far.
“Axar injured his left index finger while fielding as a substitute during Wednesday’s clash against Pakistan. Subsequent scans revealed a tendon tear,” a BCCI press release stated.
Meanwhile, Deepak Chahar has been named Hardik Pandya’s replacement. Pandya has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to “acute lower back spasms” that he picked up during the game against Pakistan. He was stretchered off after bowling just 4.5 overs and didn’t return to field for the rest of the day.
Chahar made his India debut during the T20Is against England in July after he was flown in as a late replacement following Japrit Bumrah’s finger injury in Ireland. Chahar forced his way into contention after a breakout IPL season for Chennai Super Kings, where he picked up 10 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 7.28.
India’s third change is in the fast bowling department after Shardul Thakur complained of “right hip and groin soreness after the game against Hong Kong.” Thakur bowled four wicketless overs, including a 10-ball third over that went for 17 runs. Prior to the game against Hong Kong, Shardul had last featured in an international for India in March. He was also part of the limited-overs and Test squads on the three-month tour of England and Ireland, but couldn’t get a game.
Siddarth Kaul, who was in Dubai until two days ago as a net bowler for the Indian team, is set to return to the UAE in little over 48 hours since he left the country to play for Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic 50-over competition. On Wednesday, Kaul picked up 4 for 55 in a match-winning spell for Punjab over Himachal Pradesh.
All three players, who didn’t feature in their team’s respective Vijay Hazare matches on Thursday, are expected to arrive in Dubai later in the evening.