VADODARA: India's cricket team suffered a significant setback on Monday when off-spinning allrounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remaining two matches against New Zealand. Sundar sustained a rib injury during Sunday's first ODI game.
Injury Details and Replacement
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Sundar's exclusion in an official statement. "Sundar reported an acute onset of discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI," the BCCI release stated. "He will undergo further scans, following which the BCCI medical team will seek expert opinion."
Delhi batter Ayush Badoni received his maiden India call-up as Sundar's replacement. The 26-year-old will join the Indian squad ahead of the second ODI in Rajkot on January 14.
Ayush Badoni's Cricket Profile
Badoni brings substantial domestic experience to the national team:
- He has played 27 List A matches, scoring 693 runs at an average exceeding 36
- The right-handed batter typically occupies the No. 5 or 6 position in the batting order
- He offers handy off-spin bowling, having taken 18 wickets at 29.72 with an economy rate of 4.54
- Badoni represents Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and has featured regularly for India 'A' teams
A source familiar with team selection explained the reasoning behind Badoni's inclusion. "A key reason why Badoni has been brought in is his offspin, which could be useful given New Zealand have three left-handers in their batting line-up," the source revealed.
Sundar's Injury Impact
Sundar's injury occurred during New Zealand's innings when he bowled just five overs for 27 runs. He did not return to the field after completing his bowling spell. Later in India's chase, Sundar batted at No. 8 and contributed an unbeaten seven runs despite visible discomfort between the wickets.
The timing creates additional concerns for Indian cricket management. With the T20 World Cup scheduled in India next month, Sundar now faces a race against time for recovery. The reliable but injury-prone allrounder will likely miss the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning January 21 in Nagpur.
Sundar had already been named in India's T20 World Cup squad, making his recovery timeline particularly crucial for national team preparations.
Badoni's Recent Form
Badoni arrives with solid recent performances:
- He participated in Delhi's squad for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts
- Badoni featured in the three-match one-day series against South Africa 'A' and Australia 'A' last September-October
- His consistent domestic performances earned him regular India 'A' selections
The selection represents a significant opportunity for the Delhi cricketer to establish himself at the international level. His dual skills as a middle-order batter and off-spin bowler could provide valuable balance to the Indian side during the remaining ODI matches.
Team management will monitor Sundar's recovery closely as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Badoni prepares for his international debut with the chance to make an immediate impact against New Zealand.
