India are left reeling with a setback before their stint in the T20 World Cup, with Washington Sundar being ruled out of the impending T20I matches versus New Zealand. The player is also a possible doubtful starter in the 2026 World Cup, to be held next month.
Sundar has suffered a side strain in the first ODI of the ongoing white-ball series for India against New Zealand, casting doubts over whether he can take part in important upcoming fixtures.
How the Injury Occurred
He picked up the injury in Vadodara during the opening ODI, where he was compelled to walk off after bowling only five overs. He came back to bat later and played his part with an unbeaten 7 off 7 balls as India won by four wickets. However, it was post-match medical tests that showed the seriousness of the injury.
BCCI Medical Update on Washington Sundar
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that Washington Sundar was having acute pain in his lower left rib cage during his bowling. The player was ruled out for the rest of the ODI series as a precautionary measure due to his acute pain.
Later scans have brought the BCCI to order Sundar to report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation.
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T20 World Cup Participation in Serious Doubt
The sources said that Washington Sundar’s participation in the home T20 World Cup is in doubt as he is unlikely to be fully fit before the event starting on February 7.
Defending champions India are due to open their account in the 20-team T20 World Cup against the USA in Mumbai on the opening day and the absence of Sundar would be a big setback to team balance.
Squad Changes and Replacements
While Ayush Badoni had already come in as his replacement in the ODI squad, it is learned that the Indian selectors might declare a replacement name for the T20I squad in the next few days.
For their title defense, starting preparation, India are set to play five T20Is against New Zealand, which makes stability in the squad critical ahead of the global tournament.
Why Washington Sundar’s Absence Matters
Being known for the control that he displays while playing the power play and his ability to bat down the order, Washington Sundar has a lot of importance for the Indian T20 side.
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