India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is in line to miss the opening ODI against West Indies and might also go on to miss the complete ODI series due to pain. As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, he complained of pain and discomfort after the third T20I of the series against West Indies. The board hasn’t made an announcement regarding it but the team management might soon call in a backup or replacement for Bhuvneshwar if that is the case.
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The right-arm pacer made his comeback to international cricket after almost four months. As per reports, he suffered a back issue during the West Indies tour after World Cup. BCCI, again, did not reveal any reasons for Bhuvneshwar’s absence from the squad. He trained at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before playing two T20 matches for Uttar Pradesh to prove his match fitness.
Bhuvneshwar played all the three T20Is against West Indies and scalped two wickets in the third game. In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Bhuvneshwar will lead the pace attack but he isn’t fit, then team managemental have to call-up a replacement soon as Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Shami are only pacers in the squad.
Team India has reached Chennai for the opening ODI and might take a call on Bhuvneshwar after the training session. The first ODI of the series is to be played on Sunday.
Talking of the team combination, KL Rahul is expected to walk in the playing XI in place of Shikhar Dhawan. Mayank Agarwal, Dhawan’s replacement, might have to wait for his chance in white-ball cricket.
The middle-order will remain the same. Looking at Chennai’s pitch, India might go with both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Ravindra Jadeja is confirmed to be part of playing XI. Shivam Dube might have to wait for his ODI debut.
After the opening ODI, both the teams will travel to Vizag and Cuttack for the next two ODIs on December 18 and 22, respectively.