All rounder Washington Sundar With side strain misses New Zealand series as selectors assess rehab timeline while Shahbaz Ahmed and Riyan Parag emerge as options amid uncertainty over squad plans. For the T20 World Cup which will begin next month, Washington Sundar is in a race against time to be fit.
During the opening ODI match against New Zealand, the all-rounder sustained a side strain and was subsequently ruled out of the series. Now, he will miss the five-match T20I series against the visitors in a bid to regain fitness ahead of the showpiece event.
On Friday, He is expected to report to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and thereafter a call on his fitness status will be determined. The selectors are still not confirm on whether a replacement will be sought or till the Super Eights stage of the tournament, Washington will be given time. He is essential to gameplan of India for T20 World Cup 2026.
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During the 2023 ODI World Cup, because of dengue, the selectors didn’t press for a replacement for Shubman Gill despite him missing the first few matches.
As Washington Sundar’s replacement, Shahbaz Ahmed and Riyan Parag’s name are, however, doing the rounds. For the fourth T20I against New Zealand, Tilak Varma, who has been sidelined with a lower abdomen injury, is expected to be available.
