Post by : Meena Ariff

India’s spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the ongoing one-day international series after sustaining a side strain during the opening match against New Zealand last week. The injury occurred while he was bowling, and he immediately complained of discomfort in his lower rib area, raising concerns within the team management.

Following the incident, Sundar was sent for medical scans to assess the extent of the problem. The results confirmed a side strain, after which he underwent an in-person consultation with a medical specialist. Based on the diagnosis, doctors advised him to take complete rest for the next few days to allow the injury to heal. After this recovery period, Sundar is scheduled to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where a structured rehabilitation and injury-management programme will be planned to monitor his progress.

The injury has forced the men’s selection committee to make changes to the squad. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been named as Sundar’s replacement in the team, strengthening the bowling options as India continue the series. In another adjustment, Shreyas Iyer has been added to the T20I squad for the first three matches, replacing Tilak Varma, who is also sidelined due to injury.

Sundar’s absence is a setback for the Indian team, especially with the World Cup approaching. The spin-bowling all-rounder was recently named in India’s 15-member squad for the marquee tournament, and his fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days. Team officials are hopeful that timely treatment and rehabilitation will help him recover before the global event.

The New Zealand series, scheduled to be played from January 21 to 31, holds significant importance as it serves as a key preparatory phase for India ahead of the biennial World Cup. The tournament is set to begin on February 7 and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

India have been drawn into Group A for the World Cup. They will start their campaign against the United States on the opening day, followed by group matches against Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands, as they aim to build momentum early in the competition.

#Global News #Sports News