Big blow to India as Washington Sundar gets ruled out of New Zealand T20Is, T20 World Cup participation in danger

New Delhi: Team India has suffered a major blow as all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand due to a side strain. Sundar had experienced discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI match against the Kiwis and was subsequently ruled out of the ongoing three-match ODI series.

There was hope that the star Indian all-r0under will return for the T20Is but now it has been determined that he will not be able to recover in time for the five-match T20 series starting on January 21 in Nagpur. A BCCI official confirmed the same also putting a mark on his participation in the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is less than a month away.

Sundar’s T20 WC participation in doubt?

If Sundar is ruled out of the showpiece event starting on February 7, it will be a big blow to India’s campaign as flamboyant left-handed batter Tilak Varma is also out of the first three T20Is due to a groin injury that required a surgery subsequently.

Meanwhile, after India began the ODI series campaign against Kiwis on a winning note in the series opener in Vadodara, New Zealand bounced back in the second match at Rajkot to level the series 1-1. The series-decider on Sunday would be an exciting affair as both the sides seem to be in red-hot form. The veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could not fire in the Rajkot ODI as both were dismissed in their 20s.

While Kohli scored 93 runs in the series opener, Rohit could not convert his fabulous start into a big innings. Both the players would be aiming to score with the bat coming Sunday as this would be one last opportunity for them in the coming months.