Varun to miss rest of Afghanistan T20Is with injury

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Varun to miss rest of Afghanistan T20Is with injury

India spinner is still expected to be part of the squad travelling to the Asian Games later this month

Cricinfo staff

Published: Sep 14, 2026, 3:22 PM (12 hrs ago)

Varun Chakravarthy will miss the remainder of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi after experiencing discomfort in his side. It is understood, however, that this setback is temporary, and the India spinner is expected to travel with the team for the Asian Games, which start on September 24 in Japan.

On Sunday, Varun was making his India comeback after a two-month gap, having recovered from a hamstring injury at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He bowled his full complement of overs and picked up 1 for 16 as India won by seven wickets. He sustained his prior Grade 2 hamstring injury while playing in the third T20I against England at the start of July and subsequently flew back to India for rehab at the CoE.

Varun got some time in the middle ahead of this Afghanistan series in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. He played one game for Dindigul Dragons in August and picked up figures of 0 for 34.

India have not named an official replacement for him yet. Currently, they have two options in the squad to replace him: Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.

Legspinner Bishnoi played all three T20Is during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July, where he was Varun’s replacement in the squad. He picked up three wickets at an economy of 5.66.

Allrounder Washington will offer India more depth with batting, but he too is making his return to the side having just recovered from a leg injury during the tour of England. India also have Axar Patel, who picked up 1 for 27 on Sunday.

Afghanistan are hosting India in Delhi for two more T20Is, on September 15 and 17. India play Japan next in a one-off T20I on September 22.