The Indian team management is all set to send back net bowlers Deepak Chahar and Avesh Khan to India. The duo was a part of the net bowler contingent that had flown with the team to the UK for the tournament but with Men in Blue set to kick off the proceedings tomorrow, they have decided to send the two of the four bowlers back.
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Navdeep Saini and Khaleel Ahmed will continue to stay in England and will help team India prepare for the tournament. India started the practice of taking extra bowlers for foreign tours in 2018, when they travelled to South Africa. On most tours, bowlers have been with the part of the backroom staff.
The prime reason behind Saini and Khaleel staying back could be that one of these two bowlers could be called in as replacement if any of the players get injured. It is to be noted that India only have three frontline pacers and will need an immediate replacement if any of the pacers get injured.
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Also, the presence of two extra bowlers during net sessions will give the team luxury to rest the key bowlers and let the net bowlers bowl at them to prepare for matches.
Saini is yet to play for India but is on the list of standby players for World Cup 2019. He had replaced Mohammed Shami in the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan last year. Khaleel has represented India in ODIs and T20Is, with his debut coming in Asia Cup 2018. Deepak Chahar has also played for Men in Blue, with his debut coming in England last year.
Meanwhile, India open their World Cup 2019 campaign against South Africa tomorrow. It will be the first match that Men in Blue will be participating in. India will be the favourites against South Africa, who have lost both of their contests.
Going into the contests, Men in Blue have suffered few injury concerns. Indian skipper Virat Kohli was hit on the thumb during practice session but is fit to play the match. His deputy Rohit Sharma also suffered a blow on the glove but he is also fit to participate in the contest.