Xtra Time Web Desk: It will be a huge blow for Rohit Sharma led India as Harshal is likely to miss out the upcoming Asia Cup in UAE due to a rib injury. It is learnt that the injury is serious and might force him to miss the all important T20 World Cup as well. Harshal has picked the injury during the ongoing T20I series against West Indies. According to a statement from BCCI, he has not fully recovered from his rib injury and is ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against West Indies in Florida.
As per a Cricbuzz report, the injury also puts Harshal Patel’s participation in the T20 World Cup in doubt. The 30-year-old is set to miss the majority of the games in the build-up to the competition in Australia. He will be asked to prove his fitness in the NCA post-rehabilitation and a lot of his future will depend on how well in shape he returns.
Meanwhile the squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced on Monday. Harshal’s injury could provide a window of opportunity for Deepak Chahar, who has been out of contention with a back injury since February. Chahar has now attained full fitness and returns for the Zimbabwe ODIs, and a good show could propel him into Rahul Dravid’s plans.
Harshal has proved to be a vital cog in the Indian T20 squad especially with his death bowling. He is definitely considered a vital part of India’s plans for the T20 World Cup in Australia. He has played 17 T20Is since his debut in November last year.
However, his injury, the return of Deepak Chahar and the emergence of Arshdeep Singh could all play a huge factor in the final months in the build-up to the tournament.