Washington Sundar Ruled Out of ODI Series Against New Zealand Due to Injury

Washington Sundar's Injury Update

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been sidelined from the ODI series against New Zealand due to an injury, as reported by sources. Sundar participated in the first ODI of the three-match series on Sunday, where he bowled five overs, conceding 25 runs without taking a wicket. The 26-year-old left the field during New Zealand's innings and did not return. However, he later batted at number 8, contributing seven runs to India's four-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Captain's Confirmation and Team Impact

Following the match, Indian captain Shubman Gill confirmed that Sundar suffered a side strain and will undergo scans for further evaluation. This injury adds to the challenges faced by the Indian team, as Rishabh Pant was also ruled out of the series due to a side strain sustained during practice. Dhruv Jurel was included in the playing XI to replace Pant in the first ODI. In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday, Sundar reflected on his childhood dream of winning matches for his team and praised KL Rahul's batting performance, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Rahul remained on strike during the final overs.

Key Moments in the Match

Notably, when the team needed 10 runs off the last 10 balls, Sundar strategically gave the strike to Rahul on the third ball of the final over. Rahul then hit two consecutive fours followed by a six, securing victory for the Indian team. Sundar expressed his enjoyment of the moment, attributing his success to his younger self, who had watched many matches on TV and aspired to do anything to win for his team. He acknowledged Rahul's excellent batting and mentioned that knowing Rahul was at the crease allowed him to play cautiously, focusing on the 48th and 49th overs to ensure Rahul faced the last crucial deliveries.