World Cup star Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar ruled out of South Africa tour, young Akashdeep gets a place in ODIs

The young Indian T20 team levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1 by winning the last T20I by 106 runs. Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged the Man of the Match with his stellar 4th century in T20I whereas Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 5 of the Proteas batter.

India will not face a young South African unit in the 50-overs format in a three-match series. KL Rahul will lead the young and inexperienced ODI team in the absence of senior players like Virat and Rohit. Shreyas Iyer will be available only for the first ODI and will join the Test squad for the three-day practice game in Pretoria starting on December 20th.

While the preparation for the ODI and the red ball are going in full swing, India suffered a major blow when it was recently announced that Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar will not take part in the Test and One Day series respectively. Shami’s availability for the test series was subject to fitness and unfortunately, he wasn’t able to clear the fitness test held at NCA and was adjudged unfit by the Indian Cricket Board’s medical team.

On the other hand, Deepak Chahar was an important prospect for the Indian One-day squad because of his all-round skills but the young fast bowler has also been ruled out of the One-day series due to a personal emergency.

Akashdeep slated in for Chahar in ODIs

Medium pacer Akashdeep who is currently in South Africa in the India A team has been slated in the One-Day squad in place of Deepak Chahar. Batter Shreyas Iyer will also join the Test squad after the first ODI The Indian Cricket Board in a press release informed about the inclusion of the young pacer in place of Chahar and the unavailability of Shreyas Iyer.

The release said, “Deepak Chahar has informed the Indian Cricket Board that he will not be available for the upcoming ODI series due to a family medical emergency. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Mr Akash Deep as his replacement. Batter Shreyas Iyer will only be available for the series-opening ODI on December 17. He will join the Test squad thereafter and won't take any further part in the white-ball series.

It further stated, “After the conclusion of the first ODI in Johannesburg on 17th December, Shreyas Iyer will join the Test squad to prepare for the Test series. He will not be available for the second and third ODI and will take part in the inter-squad game.”