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Indian fast bowler T Natarajan may not be available for the opening T20I against England which is scheduled to be played on March 12. This is because the pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Reports claim that the NCA has already informed the team management about the 29-year-old's unavailability at least until March 12. Although it is being reported that Natarajan might have sustained a shoulder niggle, the nature of his injury isn't yet confirmed implying no clarity on the duration of his unavailability.
Chakravarthy fails fitness test again, Tewatia awaits result
Meanwhile, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy's failure to clear the mandatory fitness Test has ruled him out of the England T20Is. While he was drafted in the squad as he had recovered from a shoulder injury, he has failed to clear the YoYo test mark stipulated for a 2km run at least twice. In the mean time, Rahul Tewatia, who had also failed to clear the fitness Test earlier, is training with the Indian team in Ahmedabad as he awaits the results of his second fitness Test.
Rahul Chahar expected to be included in the squad
It is also being learnt that leg-spinner Rahul Chahar may be included in the squad after Chakravarthy failed to meet the mandatory fitness standards. Despite Tewatia awaiting his fitness results, the likelihood of him clearing it also seem unlikely. Chahar is the frontrunner to take their place as he is already in the team's bio-bubble since the start of the Test series. The five-match T20I series is scheduled to get underway on Friday. India will enter the shortest format on the back of a 3-1 win in the Test series.