(Cricket News) In the meantime, Mukesh Kumar was released ahead of the third game in Guwahati on Tuesday due to a marriage, but he too will be joining the squad for the final two games. Deepak Chahar, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, last played for India in an ODI in December 2022. He had a good Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) Trophy campaign for Rajasthan, where he took ten wickets in five games at an economy of 7.38 and struck 67 runs off 39 balls at a strike rate of 171.79.
Chahar’s return is good news in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in June, as India have six T20Is and the IPL left after the ongoing Australia series, before the World Cup is played in the West Indies and the USA. He has also started well in the ongoing 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. In two matches so far in the tournament, he hit an unbeaten 66 off 56 balls against Arunachal Pradesh and also grabbed 6 for 41 against Gujarat.
In his two T20I appearances this series, Mukesh Kumar has been impressive. In the first T20I, which began just four days after the ODI World Cup, he conceded just 29 from his four overs while Australia posted 208 for 3. In the second T20I, which took place in Thiruvananthapuram, he removed a dangerous-looking Marcus Stoinis. At present, India leads the series 2-0. Both Australia and India have rested several of their T20I regulars.
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