India vs New Zealand: Hosts Suffer Big Blow After Washington Sundar Ruled Out Of ODI Series; Here’s Why

India have suffered yet another blow after all-rounder Washington Sundar has been reportedly ruled out of the ODI series against new Zealand. He suffered a rib injury during the first match in Vadodra. Delhi’s Ayush Badoni has received the maiden call-up. 

“India all-rounder 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, on Sunday. He will undergo further scans, following which the BCCI Medical Team will seek expert opinion,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“Washington has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the IDFC First Bank ODI series. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Ayush Badoni as his replacement. Badoni will link up with the squad in Rajkot, the venue for the second ODI,” the statement added. 

“Washington has been ruled out due to onset on discomfort in his left lower rib area,” a BCCI official told PTI.

India ODI captain Shubman Gill had given an update on Washington following India’s win on Sunday. “Washington Sundar has a side strain and will go for a scan after the match,” Gill said at the post-match presentation.

The right-arm bowler bowled five overs and gave 27 runs while came into bat at number 8 and chipped in with an unbeaten 7 off 7. 

The home side took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after riding on a spectacular knock from Virat Kohli who made a valuable contribution of 93 and all-round heroics from Harshit Rana. 

“Definitely, it felt really good to contribute in a chase. the most important thing is staying in the present. As a sportsperson, you have to focus on what’s in front of you and what the situation demands at that moment – that’s what helps you handle both the highs and the disappointments, that’s what I try to do. The way he’s (Kohli) striking the ball at the moment makes things look so easy, even on a surface like this where it wasn’t easy to start, he made it look easy,” captain Shubman Gill said after the match. 

Washington is the third Indian player to pick up an injury; wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the ongoing series after suffering a side strain last week, while Tilak Varma is unavailable for the first three T20Is against New Zealand due to a groin injury which required surgery.

India were handed a target of 301 and openers Rohit Sharma and Gill provided a decent start. Later, Kohli joined hands with Gill to push the opposition with a partnership of 118 runs and then with Shreyas Iyer with whom stitched a stand of  77 runs for the fourth wicket.

The hosts then had a few hiccups after losing wickets in quick succession before Harshit Rana took the onus and made an important contribution with the bat. He struck 29 off 23. KL Rahul later finished off the match with one over to spare. 

India’s updated squad for 2nd and 3rd ODIs: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ayush Badoni

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