Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of Afghanistan series due to injury

Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of India’s next two T20Is against Afghanistan in the national capital on Tuesday and Thursday. The 35-year-old is understood to have developed a side strain after featuring in the Men in Blue’s seven-wicket win in the opener on Sunday (September 13, 2026). He had returned figures of 4-0-16-1.

“Varun has suffered an injury. He will play no further part in the series,” a source told The Hindu on Monday (September 14, 2026). 

With the Asian Games in Japan starting soon after, it isn’t yet clear whether Varun’s injury will rule him out of the multi-sport spectacle too.

Varun has had an injury-marred year. After suffering a hairline fracture in his left foot during the Indian Premier League, he also hurt his hamstring and returned early from India’s T20 series against England in the United Kingdom. He missed the subsequent three-match series against Zimbabwe. 

Interestingly, the mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu had appeared in the post-match press conference on Sunday, and provided no inkling of his latest injury during the interaction. Asked about his mindset whilst on the treatment table, he had said: “Injuries are common for sportspersons. It just shows that we are giving our best. Sometimes we push beyond our limits and that is when the body gives in. So that is when we have to take a step back, work better and come back stronger.”