Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 14: India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has suffered another injury setback and has been ruled out of the ongoing T20 International series against Afghanistan, with his participation in the upcoming Asian Games also in doubt.

Chakaravarthy, who recently returned to competitive cricket after nearly two months of recovery and rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, complained of a side strain after Sunday night’s first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The team management has decided to release the 35-year-old spinner, who will travel to Bengaluru to report to the CoE medical team on Wednesday. He is expected to undergo scans before a decision is taken on his availability for the Asian Games.

The timing has raised concerns over his participation in the continental event, with India scheduled to leave for Japan from New Delhi on September 18. India will play a bilateral match against hosts Japan on September 22 before beginning its Asian Games campaign on September 28.

Chakaravarthy bowled his full quota of four overs in the first T20I against Afghanistan and appeared to be back to his best. He finished with impressive figures of 1/16, with two no-balls being the only blemish in his spell.

The spinner had earlier returned midway from India’s T20I series in England in July after suffering a hamstring injury and subsequently missed the series against Zimbabwe. He then spent nearly two months at the CoE before being selected for the Afghanistan series and the Asian Games after apparently regaining full fitness.

Interestingly, Chakaravarthy had spoken about the nature of injuries after Sunday’s match, saying they were a part of an athlete’s career.

“Look, injuries are very common for all sportspeople and it just shows that we are working, 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 and work better and come back stronger,” he had said.

The CoE medical team’s assessment following the scans will determine whether Chakaravarthy can recover in time to join the Indian squad for the Asian Games.