India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup have hit a minor speed bump as allrounder Washington Sundar has been officially ruled out of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The series, scheduled to run from January 21 to 31, is a vital dress rehearsal for the World Cup, which kicks off on February 7.
Sundar is currently sidelined with a side strain sustained during the first ODI against the Black Caps in Vadodara last week. The BCCI medical team characterized the injury as “acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib.” While the immediate focus is on his recovery, there is no official word yet on whether this injury will jeopardize his spot in the T20 World Cup squad. India is set to open their World Cup campaign against the USA in Mumbai on the very first day of the tournament.
Ayush Badoni in the Mix as India Navigates Injury Concerns
With Sundar out, the selectors have already integrated Delhi’s batting allrounder Ayush Badoni into the ODI setup. However, the BCCI has yet to confirm if Badoni will also take Sundar’s place in the T20I squad. The team management is also dealing with the partial absence of Tilak Varma, who is set to miss the first three T20Is following groin surgery.
Despite these setbacks, the Indian camp remains optimistic. The squad is bolstered by a wealth of all-around talent returning to the fold next week. Key players like Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, and Shivam Dube provide significant depth. Furthermore, Axar Patel, who serves as the vice-captain for both this series and the upcoming World Cup, will be expected to lead the spin-bowling allrounder department in Sundar’s absence.
Looking Ahead: Squad Depth and World Cup Readiness
The timing of these injuries is less than ideal, but the sheer variety in the current Indian roster offers a safety net. With explosive hitters like Rinku Singh and a world-class bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, captain Suryakumar Yadav still has plenty of weapons at his disposal. The New Zealand series will serve as a high-stakes audition for the bench strength to prove they can handle the pressure before the global tournament begins.
The medical team will be working around the clock to get Washington Sundar fit, as his Powerplay bowling and lower-order batting are highly valued. For now, the focus shifts to how the replacement players seize this opportunity against a formidable Kiwi side.
India’s Updated T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk).
