Washington Sundar Ruled Out of New Zealand T20 Series

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the five-match T20 series against New Zealand due to injury. Sundar sustained the injury during the first ODI of the series in Vadodara and is expected to take a few more weeks to recover.

At present, it remains uncertain whether Sundar will be fit in time for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The upcoming T20 series against New Zealand was seen as a key part of India’s preparation for the tournament.

India vs New Zealand T20 Series Details

The five-match T20 series between India and New Zealand will begin on January 21 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The series serves as an important build-up for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on February 7.

Washington Sundar is likely to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru on Saturday. After medical evaluation, a clearer recovery timeline will be determined.

Who Can Replace Washington Sundar?

A key question now is who could replace Washington Sundar if he is also ruled out of the T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already named 26-year-old Ayush Badoni as Sundar’s replacement in the ODI squad. This marks Badoni’s first call-up to the senior national team, and he could also be considered for the T20 side.

Another option for the selectors is Shahbaz Ahmed. Shahbaz has already made his debut for India in both ODIs and T20 Internationals. He has taken three wickets in three ODIs and two wickets in two T20I matches, making him a viable all-round option.

With the T20 World Cup approaching, the Indian team management will closely monitor Sundar’s recovery while evaluating backup options to ensure balance and depth in the squad.