A slew of
unexpected injuries has put Team India under pressure ahead of their
forthcoming T20 series against South Africa. Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav
are among those who have been hurt. The unfavorable developments cast doubt on
their participation in the SA series ahead of the India squad. Here’s a look at the players:
Suryakumar Yadav
MI star was
forced to withdraw from the 15th edition due to a left forearm muscle issue.
Yadav was hurt during the team’s game against the Gujarat Titans on May 6. Suryakumar
played 8 matches for the Mumbai Indians this season, accumulating 303 runs at
an average of 43.29, including three half-centuries. In consultation with the
BCCI medical experts, the right-handed hitter has been recommended to rest.
Deepak Chahar
Deepak
Chahar of the Chennai Super Kings has been ruled out of the IPL due to a back
ailment. Chahar also had a hamstring injury during the February home series
against the West Indies. Due to the second injury, there was ‘no
likelihood of his availability’ for the duration of the competition. He is
being rehabbed, although he is unlikely to return for the following season.
Washington Sundar
Washington
Sundar of the Sunrisers Hyderabad was hurt after suffering a split webbing in
his bowling hand. Sundar did not bowl one over in his match against CSK. He
stepped out to bat with hefty strappings around his damaged leg. Washington,
who had been sidelined by injury and sickness in recent months, missed India’s
three T20Is against the West Indies in February after sustaining a hamstring
injury while fielding during the third ODI in Ahmedabad. He also missed the
second half of the IPL in the UAE last year due to a finger injury.
T Natarajan
T Natarajan,
another SRH bowler in form, has already missed a couple of matches owing to
injury. With 17 wickets in 9 matches, he remains one of the best performers in
the IPL 2022. He will be part of India’s plans for the next T20 World Cup in
Australia. India did not field a left-arm pacer in the last T20WC in the UAE.