Side Strain Sidelines Sundar for NZ T20 Series; Iyer, Bishnoi Replace

The Indian cricket fraternity is reeling from Washington Sundar’s exclusion from the New Zealand T20I series, courtesy a side strain that flared up unexpectedly. BCCI’s official statement highlighted Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi’s additions, maintaining the squad’s competitive edge. Sundar felt discomfort during practice, leading to scans that confirmed the muscle strain. With the series opener just days away on November 18 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, there’s no room for risks. Shreyas Iyer’s return injects class into the batting lineup, while Ravi Bishnoi brings X-factor bowling. Team management views this as an opportunity to test bench strength, with series day-nighters in Auckland and Christchurch set to test their resolve.