Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand due to a rib injury. The injury occurred during the first ODI match in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
According to a BCCI official, Sundar experienced discomfort in his left lower rib area. Initial reports suggest he has a side strain. Following the match, Sundar underwent scans to determine the extent of the injury. Sources indicate that he is expected to need around two weeks to recover.
During the first ODI, Sundar bowled five overs, conceding 27 runs. He was seen walking off the field midway through New Zealand's innings and did not return to the field immediately. Despite his discomfort, Sundar came in to bat at No. 8, scoring 7 not out off 7 balls. He partnered with KL Rahul to add a valuable 27 runs, helping India secure a four-wicket victory.
KL Rahul admitted he wasn't fully aware of the extent of Sundar's injury during their partnership. He noted Sundar's ability to rotate the strike effectively despite the apparent discomfort. Indian captain Shubman Gill acknowledged Sundar's side strain after the game, confirming that scans would be conducted.
This injury casts doubt on Sundar's availability for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 21 in Nagpur. With the T20 World Cup approaching in less than a month, his absence is a significant setback for the Indian team.
Sundar's injury adds to a series of recent injury concerns within the Indian squad. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was previously ruled out of the ODI series due to a side strain sustained during a practice session. Tilak Varma is also sidelined for the first three T20Is due to a groin injury requiring surgery. Dhruv Jurel has been named as Pant's replacement in the squad.
India won the first ODI against New Zealand by four wickets. Virat Kohli's 93 and Shubman Gill's 56 contributed significantly to the victory. The remaining ODI matches are scheduled for January 14 in Rajkot and January 18 in Indore.
