Mukesh Kumar missed the third T20I against Australia on Tuesday in Guwahati. The pacer had left India’s squad before the third T20I.
India had played an unchanged side in the first two T20Is, both of which India won. It seems that the stand-in captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and interim coach VVS Laxman wanted to play an unchanged side for the third T20I as well, however, Mukesh Kumar was unavailable for an interesting reason, and hence, Avesh Khan replaced him in the XI.
Why isn’t Mukesh Kumar playing today in 3rd T20I vs Australia?
The BCCI revealed that Mukesh Kumar had taken a leave from the 3rd T20I as he was getting married! Avesh Khan came into the playing XI in place of Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of the 4th game in Raipur.
The BCCI added CSK pacer Deepak Chahar in the squad.
The BCCI tweeted: “Update: Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the third T20I against Australia in Guwahati. Mukesh is getting married and has been granted leave for the duration of his wedding festivities.
He will join the squad ahead of the 4th T20I in Raipur.
Pacer Deepak Chahar has been added to India’s squad for the remainder of the series.
#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS”
Mukesh Kumar had taken only 1 wicket in the first two T20Is but impressed with his death-overs bowling as he nailed his yorkers and wide yorkers. He had an economy of 9, which is the third-best in the first two T20Is, both of which were high-scoring.
Meanwhile, Matthew Wade once again won the toss and elected to bowl again in the 3rd T20I.
Teams:
Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w/c), Nathan Ellis, Jason Behrendorff, Tanveer Sangha, Kane Richardson
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna
