Injured Washington Sundar gets ruled out of NZ series, Ayush Badoni to replace him

The Indian cricket team has been dealt another significant blow as all-rounder Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remainder of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Monday. Sundar sustained an "acute onset of discomfort in his left lower rib area" while bowling during the series opener at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium in Kotambi on Sunday. Despite the pain, the 26-year-old managed to bat for a brief period to assist India in their successful chase of 301, remaining unbeaten on 7.

In his absence, the All-India Senior Men's Selection Committee has named Delhi's dynamic middle-order batter Ayush Badoni as his replacement. This marks a milestone moment for Badoni, who has received his maiden call-up to the national squad following consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. The right-hander will join the Indian team in Rajkot, where the second ODI is scheduled to take place on January 14.

Sundar’s injury is particularly concerning as it is the third setback for India within a single week. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was previously ruled out of the entire ODI series due to an abdominal strain, and young left-hander Tilak Varma was sidelined for the upcoming T20I leg after undergoing surgery for a separate abdominal issue. The BCCI medical team is expected to seek further expert opinions once Sundar's scan reports are available to determine his recovery timeline ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.