India vs England 2020-21: Varun Chakravarthy likely to miss T20Is, T Natarajan doubtful
India and England are set to square off in five Twenty20 Internationals, starting Friday. The sides were engaged in a brutal four-Test series, which the host won 3-1 to retain the Anthony de Mello Trophy. However, the T20Is could see a couple of Indians miss out.
FollowAfter a gruelling four-Test series against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, successfully retained by India, the focus shifts to the shortest format, as the sides would be engaged in a five-matches Twenty20 Internationals. As the team for the host seems set, there appears to concern regarding a couple of players.
Uncapped Varun Chakravarthy, who is rated as India's mystery spinner, is all set to miss out on the series after failing to clear the fitness test. It would be the second instance of him missing out on a series, having missed out during the T20Is in Australia due to a shoulder injury. While he went to his rehab sessions at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, his selection was subject to the fitness test's clearance, which he has failed to so so.
Chakravarthy was phenomenal during the 2020 Indian Premier League. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, he finished as the side's highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets in 13 innings at an economy of 6.84, including a fifer. Meanwhile, as for his replacement, uncapped spinner Rahul Chahar is likely to take his place, reports ESPNCricinfo.
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Also, young pacer T Natarajan seems to be doubtful for the series. According to another CI report, he appears to have suffered an injury and is currently rehabbing at the NCA. Although the extent of the type of injury he has sustained in unclear, NCA has reportedly told the team management that he is unlikely to be available until Friday when the series officially gets underway, as an official update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaited.
Natarajan had a glorious run in IPL 2020, as playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he finished as the side's second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 16 from 16 at an economy of 8.02. He also made his international debut in Australia last year, claiming the most T20I wickets (six from three) at an economy of 6.91. He also became the first India to make his debut across formats on the same tour.
