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Deepak Chahar (Source: Twitter)
Fast bowler Deepak Chahar played just one match for India in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia. The 31-year-old returned to international cricket in the fourth T20I after a long break but was forced to miss the final match due to a 'medical emergency'. Chahar has been picked to play the 20-over series on the tour of South Africa, but it is not clear if he will fly to the Rainbow Nation.
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"He (Deepak) has flown back home because of a medical emergency,” captain Suryakumar Yadav said ahead of the fifth match. The right-arm seamer later opened up about the situation and revealed that his father was hospitalised and it could have been dangerous without timely intervention.
"We got him to the hospital on time. Else, it could have been dangerous. His condition is better at the moment. People were asking, why I didn't play the final T20I against Australia. For me, my father is very important. He made me the player I am. I cannot leave him in this condition and couldn't go anywhere," Chahar told Sports Tak.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star bowler has said that he will travel to South Africa once his father is out of danger. He has informed head coach Rahul Dravid and the selectors about the same.
"That's why I am staying with my father and once he is out of danger, I will start my journey to South Africa. I have talked to Rahul (Dravid) sir and the selectors. Right now, my father's condition is better," the seamer revealed.
While Chahar's participation remains uncertain, the Indian Cricket Board is yet to announce a replacement. With the T20 World Cup 2024 less than six months away, the Agra-born pacer will be keen on a consistent run to cement his place in the team.
India's T20 squad vs South Africa: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Deepak Chahar