India secured a 1-0 lead in their T20 series against Afghanistan with a victory in the first match on Sunday.
However, the team received a setback as wrist-spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to injury. His participation in the upcoming in Japan is also uncertain.
Chakravarthy sustained the injury during the first T20 match, where he took one wicket for 16 runs in four overs. A source confirmed on Monday, “Yes, Varun is out of the series against Afghanistan. Scans have confirmed a side strain. It remains to be seen when he will be asked to report to the Center of Excellence.”
The 35-year-old was returning to the Indian team after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the tour of England, which had sidelined him from the T20 series against Zimbabwe in July. Previously, he had also faced a hairline fracture in his left leg while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2026 Indian Premier League.
In a post-match press conference, Chakravarthy discussed the pressures of physical rehabilitation and the expectations placed on modern cricketers. At that time, he showed no signs of a new injury. He remarked, “Injuries are common for all players, and they indicate that we are working hard and giving our best. Sometimes, we push beyond our limits, and that’s when the body responds. In such cases, we need to step back, work better, and make a strong comeback.”
India had a significant win in the first match held at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The remaining matches of the series are scheduled for September 15 and 17. With Chakravarthy out, India will rely on options like Kuldeep Yadav, Krunal Pandya, and uncapped Vipraj Nigam for spin bowling, while Harsh Dubey and Shahbaz Ahmed continue their rehabilitation from injuries at the Center of Excellence.