India have suffered a big blow ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, as all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the T20 series against New Zealand. The left-handed batsman, who was ruled out of the ongoing three-match ODI series, will now miss the five-match T20I series against the same opponent.
On Sunday, January 11, Sundar suffered a rib injury in the opening match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The 26-year-old all-rounder experienced discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling, but still came in to bat at number 8 under Shubman Gill in India’s chase of 301 runs and remained unbeaten on 7 runs in 7 balls.
India were forced to make one change for the remaining ODI series against New Zealand and Ayush Badoni was named in his place.
Washington Sundar out of T20 series against New Zealand
According to the report of news agency PTI, Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the five-match T20 series against New Zealand at home. Sundar may not recover in time for the series, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 21 in Nagpur.
“Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the T20 series against New Zealand due to a side strain,” a BCCI official told PTI on Wednesday.
This is a big blow for India as this is their last bilateral series before the T20 World Cup starting on February 7. Sundar’s injury has also raised doubts over his availability for the ICC event.
With Axar Patel being the only other spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad for the New Zealand T20Is and World Cup, India now need to find a quick and reliable replacement.
Washington Sundar’s numbers in T20I
Washington Sundar made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2017, finishing with figures of 1/22 from four overs.
Sundar has played 58 T20Is for India, taking 51 wickets in 54 innings at an average of 22.76 and an economy rate of 6.91, with his best bowling figures of 3/3. With the bat, he has scored 254 runs in 24 innings at a strike rate of 134.39.
This cricketer from Tamil Nadu has participated in a total of 159 T20 matches. He has taken 118 wickets at an average of 28.44 and economy rate of 7.04. As a batsman, he has scored 1,489 runs in 101 innings at an average of 20.12 and a strike rate of 123.67, including three half-centuries.
India is facing selection worries before the T20 World Cup.
Washington Sundar becomes the second World Cup squad member to miss the T20I series against New Zealand. Earlier, No. 3 batsman Tilak Verma was ruled out of the first three T20Is after undergoing surgery on a back injury.
The timeline for Tilak’s recovery remains unclear, adding to India’s concerns. With both players unavailable, the team management and medical staff are racing against time and hoping that both will regain full fitness ahead of the global tournament.
India still have three frontline spinners in the T20I squad for both the New Zealand series and the World Cup – Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy. As a result, the absence of Sundar does not affect the first choice combination.
However, as a spin-bowling all-round option, Shahbaz Ahmed could be back in contention. The 31-year-old, who has played three ODIs and two T20Is for India, was recently called up as a replacement for Axar Patel during the T20I series against South Africa last month.
Also read: Revealed: Why was Axar Patel not selected in place of Washington Sundar for New Zealand ODI?