Photo via Hindustan Times

Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of Asian Games 2026 as India hand surprise call-up to uncapped spinner

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will be unavailable for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games because of an abdominal side strain incurred during India's T20I opener against Afghanistan in New Delhi. Although the 35-year-old bowler felt sharp pain in his third over, he completed his four overs to post figures of 1 for 16 across 12 dot balls, helping his side secure a seven-wicket victory.

Medical evaluations subsequently ruled him out of the remaining two fixtures of the bilateral series—where Ravi Bishnoi took his spot in the playing lineup—before India chose uncapped leg-spinning all-rounder Vipraj Nigam to replace him for the continental tournament.

This development prolongs an injury-plagued run for Chakaravarthy, who had recently spent two months away from the national team following a left-hamstring tear sustained during the third T20I at Trent Bridge that caused him to miss a tour of Zimbabwe. Earlier in 2026, he also missed action because of a left-foot ailment picked up during the IPL, with each setback sending him to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for recuperation.