Mumbai: All-rounder Krunal Pandya and medium pacer Deepak Chahar received their maiden call up to the Indian team as they will replace the injured Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah for the three-match Twenty20 series against England. India’s T20 series against England is set to begin on Tuesday at Manchester.
Since Bumrah and Sundar have been ruled out for the entire limited-overs series, Axar Patel has got a call up to the ODI squad. The three-match ODI series between India and England will start on June 12 at Nottingham.
Krunal and his brother Hardik Pandya will be the third brother duo to represent India after Mohinder Amarnath and Surinder Amarnath and Pathan brothers – Irfan and Yusuf.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Krunal Pandya as Washington Sundar’s replacement in India’s T20I side and Axar Patel in the ODI side for the upcoming limited-overs series against England,” BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a statement.
Sundar has been ruled out of the entire limited overs series against England after injuring his right ankle during Indian team’s training session at the Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin on June 26.
Bumrah, on the other hand, has been ruled out of the T20I and ODI series against England after breaking a finger in Ireland.
Krunal has been rewarded for his consistent performances for Mumbai Indians in the last two editions of the IPL, while Chahar got rewarded for his good performance in the domestic tournaments and the ongoing India A team’s tour of England.
Chahar is currently playing for India A squad in England in the 50-over tri-series, featuring England Lions and West Indies A.
After three games in the series, Chahar was on top of India’s wicket taking chart, with seven wickets at 12.71 and an economy rate of 4.04.
Chahar came into the limelight following his good show with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) where he picked up 10 wickets in 12 games and was also their second-most economical bowler (economy rate: 7.28).
Meanwhile, the selectors have also included Rishabh Pant in India A squad for the four-day matches. Currently a member of the India A squad for the one-day games, Pant will continue to be with the side for the longer format too.
