A worrying news has come out of the Indian camp. Just days after being ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series, Washington Sundar has now also been withdrawn from the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. It was the last international assignment before the T20 World Cup 2026. This series was a dress rehearsal for the mega home World Cup. But Sundar won’t be able to take part in it.
The 26-year-old suffered a side strain during the first ODI in Vadodara. He managed to bowl only five overs before walking off, and although he later came out to bat during India’s chase and stitched together a crucial stand with KL Rahul, the damage was already done. Subsequent scans advised him “a few weeks’ rest”, forcing the team management to shelve any plans of easing him back during the T20Is.
“Washington Sundar reported an acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara,” the BCCI said on the day after the first ODI. The medical staff recommended a few weeks of rest. Sundar will now head to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence next week to begin his recovery.
Washington Sundar injury: Could it hurt India?
Washington Sundar added as the fourth spin bowling option in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. He wasn’t supposed to start every game but the Indian management had a cushion of a multi-faceted player in him. They wouldn’t like Sundar to miss the mega ICC event since the Tamil Nadu cricketer fits multiple roles.
After finally earning his place in a T20 World Cup squad for the first time, he was expected to play a key role on home pitches with his new-ball overs, matchups against left-handers and increasing confidence with the bat. Instead, history is threatening to repeat itself. He wasn’t considered for the 2021 and 2022 editions due to injuries as well.
India’s medical team and selectors have decided not to gamble. There was an initial belief that Sundar might return later in the T20I series. But the risk of aggravating the injury so close to a World Cup has ruled that out. He may rejoin the squad in the final stages, but only if recovery goes exactly to plan.
