Washington Sundar, an all-rounder for the Indian cricket team, has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand due to a side strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement late on Friday, indicating that Sundar’s injury could also put his participation in the T20 World Cup next month in jeopardy.
Ravi Bishnoi has been named as Sundar’s replacement for the T20 series, which consists of five matches and serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup. The upcoming tournament will take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Sundar was initially included in India’s World Cup squad announced last month. However, he will need to recover swiftly to ensure he is fit for the tournament. The BCCI revealed that Sundar experienced discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand, prompting further medical evaluation.
Following scans, Sundar was diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised to rest for several days. Upon completing his recovery, he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for additional management of his injury.
In response to this injury situation, the BCCI’s selection committee has also added batsman Shreyas Iyer to the squad for the first three matches of the T20 series, replacing the injured Tilak Varma.