India all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out for remaining two one day international games against New Zealand.
During the first ODI at Vadodara on Sunday, Washington suffered a side strain which meant he bowled only five overs. He came out to bat at No 8 and struggled to run towards the later part of India’s innings before KL Rahul took India home with an over to spare after a mini-collapse in the middle overs. He scored seven runs from seven deliveries.
“I didn’t know he (Washington) couldn’t run. I knew he had a bit of an injury in the first innings, but I wasn’t aware of the extent. That said, he was striking the ball really well. When he came in, we were already going at about a run-a-ball, so there was no need to take unnecessary risks. There wasn’t too much pressure on him. He rotated the strike, and did his job,” Rahul said.
It is understood that Washington was taken for scans immediately and the reports have suggested that he needs few weeks’ rest and as a result he would return home before heading to the Centre of Excellence.
The all-rounder is part of the India team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and it remains to be seen if he features in the T20 series against New Zealand. Despite making his international debut in 2017, Washington has yet to make a T20 World Cup appearance. Due to different injuries, he missed the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups.
India pacer Harshit Rana was asked about Washington injury after the game and he stated, “Washington Sundar has a side strain. He was in pain while batting. Our medical team will assess and will update.”
This is second injury to Indian player in span of two days. On eve of the game India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was hit just above his waist from one of the deliveries bowled by a throwdown specialist late in his long batting session in Vadodara on Saturday.
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The 28-year-old was attended by the support staff members, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, and left the BCA B ground after receiving treatment, grimacing in pain. Later, Pant was ruled out for entire series.
No replacement has been named yet for Washington.
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