Cricket fans in India woke up to disappointing news: Washington Sundar has been officially dropped from the T20I squad touring New Zealand. The BCCI’s announcement cited an ongoing injury as the primary reason, forcing the all-rounder to sit out the crucial series Down Under.
Sundar’s journey to stardom began in Tamil Nadu’s domestic circuit, where his maturity belied his age. Internationally, he has evolved into a white-ball specialist, contributing with both ball and bat in pressure situations. His exclusion disrupts India’s spin bowling plans significantly.
The injury, reportedly a finger niggle from recent nets, escalated upon assessment. Team physios recommended sidelining him to prevent long-term damage. With the series looming large, replacements are being evaluated meticulously.
Looking ahead, this opens doors for domestic standouts. Players like Sai Kishore or even all-rounder Abhishek Sharma could earn caps, adding unpredictability to selections. India’s T20 blueprint relies on versatile bowlers, and Sundar’s void tests that philosophy.
Stats don’t lie: In 28 T20Is, Sundar boasts 28 wickets and 181 runs, often delivering in clutch moments. His economy rate under 7 reflects control rare among finger spinners in T20s.
The reaction was swift online, with #GetWellSoonWashington trending. Former players like Ravi Shastri emphasized depth in modern squads, predicting a strong comeback narrative.
New Zealand’s conditions favor swing and seam early, transitioning to spin later – terrain where Sundar excelled. India must recalibrate strategies accordingly. The series narrative now pivots to resilience and adaptation.
Optimism surrounds Sundar’s recovery; sources indicate a possible return by mid-series or subsequent fixtures. For Indian cricket, this is a momentary hiccup in a promising campaign.