Mukesh Kumar has been released from the India squad for the third T20I against Australia in Guwahati today (November 28) for his marriage.
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India made one change to their XI for the third T20I in Guwahati, following their victory in Thiruvananthapuram. Right-arm seamer Avesh Khan replaced another right-arm seamer Mukesh Kumar, who has been granted leave by the BCCI to get married.
Mukesh had mixed outings in the first two T20Is, both of which were high-scoring encounters. In the first, he gave away just 29 runs from his four overs even as Australia scored 208-3 from their 20 overs. In the second, he went for 43 from his four overs, getting the wicket of Marcus Stoinis in the process.
BCCI announced on social media after the toss today (November 28) that Mukesh had requested for a leave to get married, which they have granted.
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…
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 28, 2023
When will Mukesh Kumar rejoin the squad?
Mukesh’s departure is not going to be for long. He will return to the India squad before the fourth T20I of the series in Raipur.
Has any replacement been announced?
BCCI have added Deepak Chahar to the India squad for the remainder of the five-match T20I series against Australia. Chahar was not picked in the XI for the third T20I, but was seen bowling in the nets ahead of the game. The last time he played a T20I for India was in October 2022.
Where does the IND vs AUS series stand?
India have won the first two matches of the five-match series comprehensively. A victory in the third game in Guwahati will give them an unassailable lead heading into the last two games.
Australia, meanwhile, have made wholesale changes to their squad. Six of their players have flown back home, most of whom were part of the 2023 World Cup squad, while four new reinforcements have been called in.
