Xtra Time Web Desk: Does Deepak Chahar has a chance to break into India’s Asia Cup squad? The bowling all-rounder made a stunning comeback into international cricket after a long injury lay off. Chahar took three wickets in his opening spell of 7 overs to break the Zimbabwe top order batting during the first ODI at Harare Sports Club on Thursday. In fact, he took two wickets in a space of four balls. Following his impressive show in the ODI series opener against Zimbabwe, selectors are mulling the thought of including him in the Asia Cup squad.
There were quite a few eyebrows raised when Chahar was not included in Asia Cup squad despite being picked in the squad for Zimbabwe ODI series. He has already passed the fitness test and looked supremely fit and in rhythm. But the selectors wanted to be convinced about his fitness. It was the reason he was not rushed with the series against West Indies.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel ruled out of Asia Cup due to injury, selectors surprised all, keeping Avesh Khan as the third seamer. Chahar has been included in the Asia Cup squad as a standby besides Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel.
India is going with just three specialist pacers besides Hardik Pandya. Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the pace bowling line-up looks inexperienced with Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan. Now with Deepak back in rhythm, he can be a good addition to the side for Asia Cup. With Avesh Khan going in for lot of runs in recent T20 matches, there is a possibility Deepak can be drafted in to the main squad.
The biggest positive is Chahar can be a useful contributor with the bat as well. Before he was injured, he became a reliable batter down the order and even won India a match in Sri Lanka.
There is a provision to make a change to the Asia Cup squad and it will not be a surprise if selectors decides to drop someone like Avesh and include Deepak in.