Three injuries have forced the BCCI to send replacements to Dubai for the ongoing Asia Cup, the board announced on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya suffered an acute lower back spasm during the game against Pakistan and has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Deepak Chahar will be joining the team in his place along with Ravindra Jadeja who will come in for Axar Patel, while Siddharth Kaul will be flown in as reinforcement for Shardul Thakur.
Pandya had to carried off the field on a stretcher after incurring the injury in the 18th over of the Pakistan innings on Wednesday night in Dubai. The all-rounder bowled his fifth delivery and after completing the follow through, he immediately reached for his lower back and lay on the ground, looking in considerable pain.
Pandya could not get up after that and had to be assisted off the field. The BCCI said in a statement that he’s undergoing treatment and assessment by the board’s medical team.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel injured his left index finger while fielding in the game against Pakistan and scans later showed he had a tendon tear and will be returning back to India. Ravindra Jadeja has been named as his replacement.
Right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur experienced right hip and groin soreness after the game against Hong Kong on Tuesday and has also been ruled out of the series. Siddharth Kaul will take his place in the squad.
Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja & Siddharth Kaul will all be joining the Indian team on Thursday.
India’s next Asia Cup match is on Friday against Bangladesh.
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