With Chahar, Venkatesh injured, India likely to dig deep into bench

Team India is dealing with a couple injuries that could see pacer Deepak Chahar and allrounder Venkatesh Iyer sit out of the second T20I against the West Indies. However, there is no official update from the team management, the captain or the BCCI yet. 

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During the first T20I of the three-match series, Chahar sustained a blow to his right hand while trying to stop a powerful pull shot from opposition skipper Kieron Pollard in the square leg region. The Chennai Super Kings bowler, who was bought for a massive Rs 14 crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction, was sent back to the dressing room and could not finish his full quota in the penultimate over of the match.  Harshal Patel had to bowl the final over.

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Chahar finished with figures of 3-0-28-1.

India’s pace bowling allrounder Venkatesh Iyer, who bowled a solitary over, also sustained a blow to his right hand after the ball slipped through his hand from a Pollard shot in the 17th over.

The duo will have their scans done and it remains to be seen if they will be available for the remainder of the series.

With a possibility of the two or one of them missing out for the second game, here is a look at India’s options for replacements:

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1) Shreyas Iyer: Bought for a whopping  Rs12.25 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Mumbai-based batsman will lead the franchise in the upcoming IPL season. Skipper Rohit Sharma explained after the match that Iyer was dropped because the team needed an extra bowling option. However, with Venkatesh Iyer out, the KKR skipper could fit in the middle order. 

2) Deepak Hooda: Rohit Sharma stressed on the need of playing an extra bowling option. Well, Deepak Hooda fits the bill. The hard-hitter will also offer some useful off-spin in the middle-overs. He could get his maiden T20I cap in the second game of the series. 

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3) Mohammed Siraj: The Royal Challengers Bangalore player might be the best replacement India has for Deepak Chahar. While Siraj does not swing the ball as much as Chahar, his ability to bowl yorkers and also hit the hard length with consistency gives him an edge. 

India defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The two sides will lock horns for the next game on Friday.