Washington Sundar's Painful Batting Appearance Raises Eyebrows
Washington Sundar made a controversial decision during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara. The spin-bowling all-rounder walked out to bat despite showing clear signs of injury. His visible limp and struggle to move freely created immediate concern among cricket observers.
Team Management's Questionable Call
India needed support for KL Rahul in their chase of 301 runs. The team management decided to risk Sundar despite his fitness issues. This gamble backfired when his injury worsened during the match. Sundar managed to score 7 runs off 7 balls without getting out. He played a supporting role as Rahul guided India to a four-wicket victory.
The consequences became clear soon after the match. Team officials ruled Sundar out of the remaining series. They replaced him with Ayush Badoni for the upcoming games.
Mohammad Kaif's Strong Criticism
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif openly questioned the team's decision. He highlighted what he called a double standard in player management. Kaif reminded everyone about Shubman Gill's situation during the South Africa Test series.
"You will remember when Shubman Gill was injured," Kaif said on his YouTube channel. "He did not come out to bat in that Test match, the Kolkata Test. It was a high-scoring game and people thought that even 20 or 30 runs from him could help India win, but he still did not bat. That was done to give full protection to the player so the injury would not aggravate."
Kaif expressed disappointment that the same careful approach wasn't applied to Sundar. He acknowledged India won the match but emphasized the unnecessary risks taken.
The Practical Problems During Play
Kaif explained several practical issues that emerged during Sundar's innings. The injured player couldn't run doubles effectively. Even when the ball went to deep point or square leg, he could only manage singles. This limitation affected KL Rahul's running between the wickets too.
"What might have been a one-week or ten-day injury could stretch to 20, 25, or even 30 days," Kaif warned. He stressed that sending an injured player into a pressure situation always carries extra risk.
Alternative Options Available
The former cricketer suggested several alternatives the team could have considered:
- Send Kuldeep Yadav instead
- Try Mohammed Siraj or Prasidh Krishna
- Use any other available batsman
Kaif believed the team should have reserved Sundar for absolute emergencies only. The required run rate remained manageable at around a run-a-ball throughout that phase of the innings.
Broader Implications for Indian Cricket
This incident raises important questions about the Gautam Gambhir-led team management's approach to player welfare. Sundar's fitness becomes particularly crucial as he's part of India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament begins on February 7, making his recovery timeline especially important.
The debate continues about balancing immediate match needs with long-term player health. Cricket experts and fans alike will watch closely how the team management handles similar situations in future matches.
