Varun Chakaravarthy injured again, ruled out of Afghanistan T20I series

Chakaravarthy bowled four overs during the first T20I after which he suffered the injury. | Photo Credit: ANI

Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of India’s next two T20Is against Afghanistan in the national capital. The 35-year-old is understood to have developed a side strain after featuring in the Men in Blue’s seven-wicket win in the opener on Sunday. He had returned figures of 4-0-16-1.

“Varun has suffered an injury. He will play no further part in the series,” a source told Sportstar on Monday.

With the Asian Games in Japan starting soon after, it isn’t yet clear whether Varun’s injury will rule him out of the multi-sport spectacle too.

Varun has had an injury-marred year. After suffering a hairline fracture in his left foot during the Indian Premier League, he also hurt his hamstring and returned early from India’s T20 series against England in the United Kingdom. He missed the subsequent three-match series against Zimbabwe.

Interestingly, the mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu had appeared in the post-match press conference on Sunday, and gave no inkling of his latest injury during the interaction.

Asked about his mindset whilst on the treatment table, he had said: “Injuries are common for sportspersons. It just shows that we are giving our best. Sometimes we push beyond our limits and that is when the body gives in. So that is when we have to take a step back, work better and come back stronger.”