Deepak Chahar Ruled Out Of 1st T20I vs South Africa; Doubtful For Remainder Of Series: Reports

In what has been the latest development as per the reports in PTI, it is learned that Indian pacer Deepak Chahar will miss the first T20I against South Africa. The first game of the three-match series will take place on 10th December in Durban.

Deepak Chahar hasn’t joined the India squad and is currently at his home. His father reportedly hasn’t been keeping well and therefore he hasn’t joined the team. He has taken a break from cricket. The reports added that he might even miss the whole series.

A source close to PTI has revealed that the fast bowler hasn’t joined the team and also added that he has taken permission from the BCCI for a break. He stated:

“Deepak hasn’t yet joined the team in Durban as a close family member needed urgent hospitalisation. He had taken permission for a break as he needed to attend to his family member. He may or may not join the squad depending on his family member’s health in coming days.”

Deepak Chahar was part of the Indian squad for the T20I series against Australia. He, however, left the team midway due to personal reasons. And because of the same reason, the pacer hasn’t joined the team in South Africa. The team management is hoping that he will join the team soon.

Deepak Chahar was in red-hot form in the domestic circuit. He recently featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. He was in golden touch with both bat and ball. He picked 10 wickets in the 5 games that he played at an economy of 7.38. His best with the bat came when he scored 67 runs off 39 balls in the tournament at a strike rate of 171.79.

Deepak also featured in a few games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023. He smashed an unbeaten 66 off 56 balls against Arunachal Pradesh and also grabbed 6 for 41 against Gujarat.

IND vs SA: India likely 11 for the first T20I against South Africa without Deepak Chahar

With Deepak Chahar likely to miss the first T20I, it is expected that Mukesh Kumar will get the nod ahead.

Here’s India’s likely 11 for the first T20I against South Africa:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar