NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – India have added Parthiv Patel to their Asia Cup squad as a back-up to skipper MS Dhoni after the captain suffered a back spasm during training today (Monday) in Dhaka.
Dhoni has sent a scare through the India squad with the injury, given the hosts play their opening match of the World T20 on March 15 against New Zealand – a little over three weeks away.
“India ODI and T20I captain MS Dhoni has suffered a muscle spasm in the back during a training session today in Dhaka,” a statement frome the BCCI read.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Parthiv Patel as the back-up wicketkeeper for the upcoming Asia Cup, 2016. He will join the team in Dhaka at the earliest.”
The Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format this year in the lead-up to the ICC World T20 in March, will feature Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and a qualifier to be determined on Monday.
Dhoni captained India to World T20 glory in September 2007 in the inaugural tournament and despite retiring from Test cricket in January 2015, the 34-year-old remains a key contributor in the limited-over formats.
Parthiv Patel last played for India in 2012, in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Brisbane. He has played in only two T20Is, one each against England and West Indies, both in 2011. The dimunitive keeper-batsman did enjoy a successful domestic season with Gujarat, leading his team to the Vijay Hazare Trophy title. He was also in good form at the back-end of IPL 2015, when he played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians title march.
India’s first match is against Bangladesh on Wednesday, 24 February, before the marquee fixture against Pakistan on 27 February.
