Washington Sundar doubtful for New Zealand T20Is – Who are the candidates for India’s spin-allrounder’s replacement?
Along with Tilak Varma’s absence from the first three T20Is of the five-match series against New Zealand, India have suffered another massive injury setback. Their spin all-rounder, Washington Sundar, has been ruled out of the entire series against the Kiwis due to a side strain. These games are expected to be the best preparation for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
The series, which will begin on January 21, will conclude a week before the start of the World Cup on February 7. That leaves the blue brigade in a claustrophobic situation ahead of the competition. Sundar brings balance to the eleven, having been a regular member of the team lately.
Washington Sundar ruled out of New Zealand T20I series due to injury
The reports have claimed that Sundar is recovering from the side strain injury that he suffered during the opening ODI against the Kiwis in Vadodara last week. The Southpaw walked off midway through the New Zealand innings and didn’t return to the field after bowling five overs for 27 runs. Then, despite the discomfort, he later came out to bat at number eight in India’s four-wicket victory.
“Washington Sundar reported an acute onset of discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on Sunday. He will undergo further scans, following which the BCCI Medical Team will seek expert opinion.” The BCCI statement claimed.
The BCCI addressed the injury as ‘acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib.’ There is no confirmation yet on whether the injury would spoil Sundar’s World Cup dream. They begin their T20 World Cup campaign against United States of America (USA) on February 07 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India will not be overly concerned by Sundar’s absence from the home series, with multiple all-rounders being available in the T20I side. The list includes Hardik Pandya, vice-captain Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, and Shivam Dube. All of them are also regular members of the playing eleven.
But Sundar’s form has been decent since the end of the T20 World Cup 2024. Post that event, the Tamil Nadu spinner has bagged 17 T20I wickets in 13 innings at a jaw-dropping economy rate of 5.79. He also averages only 11.35 with the ball, being India’s joint sixth leading T20I wicket-taker in this period.
Even with the bat, the Southpaw has collected vital runs. He has notched up 147 runs in just nine innings at a strike rate of 124.57. His highest score of undefeated 49 runs came recently during the Hobart T20I against Australia.
Read More: Tilak Varma set to miss NZ T20Is due to injury; T20 WC 2026 participation in doubt
India’s likely replacements for Washington Sundar for New Zealand T20Is
Despite all of these facts, they would still want a replacement as a backup option. Moreover, the New Zealand series will be the best option to use the new player in case Sundar fails to regain full fitness before the T20 World Cup 2026. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has always praised the flexibility of the Chennai-born, and they will perhaps want a similar sort of player.
Ayush Badoni could be one of the options. The Delhi player has recently been selected for the ODI series as Sundar’s cover-up. India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, claimed that the 26-year-old can offer them a few overs with the ball. The same skill could be done in the shortest format.
Meanwhile, Badoni enjoyed an excellent IPL 2025 for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The right-handed batter recorded 329 runs in 11 innings at an average of 32.90 and a strike rate of 148.19, thanks to two centuries. Even in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, he collected 206 runs at a strike rate of 135.52.
Krunal Pandya can also be a wild-card option. The 34-year-old featured for the national side in a T20I nearly five and a half years ago. But his recent IPL form was excellent. For the champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the left-arm spinner picked up 17 wickets at an economy rate of 8.23 in 2025. He bowled in all three phases of the innings, which is always a boon for any side.
Riyan Parag could be another option for Sundar’s replacement. Leading the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on most occasions in IPL 2025, he bagged 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52. However, he doesn’t bowl much in this format. Moreover, his recent form for Assam in SMAT 2025 is concerning as the batter did not cross15 in any of the six games he featured.
Can India think of bringing Shreyas Iyer into the squad? They are already packed with the all-rounders. In that case, they have the luxury to bring an extra batter in the side.
Shreyas Iyer also brings leadership skills to the table, having led the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the runners-up of IPL 2025. He also notched up 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 in that campaign.
India’s opening T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand begins on January 21. The encounter will take place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Read More: Is Washington Sundar the next big all-rounder India have unearthed?
