Washington Sundar has been replaced in the Indian team for the forthcoming three-match One-Day International series against Zimbabwe by Bengal’s left-arm spinning all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.
After suffering a shoulder injury while competing in a Royal London Cup match in England, Washington was unable to participate in the Zimbabwe tour.
The brilliant all-around spin bowler from Tamil Nadu has had a difficult past year, missing series after series due to a variety of injuries and COVID-19-related issues.
He was nearly set to play for India in a week, thus the most recent injury is freakish, according to another official with knowledge of the situation. In a warm-up game against an Indian team in July 2021, Washington injured his finger while at bat for Combined Counties. This was the beginning of Washington’s seemingly endless string of ailments.
The 27-year-old all-rounder, who has never received a cap, has participated in 26 List A games, amassing 662 runs at an average of 47.28 and taking 24 wickets with a 4.43 economy rate. Shahbaz has also played regularly for Royal Challengers Bangalore during the past two Indian Premier League seasons.
At the Harare Sports Club, India’s campaign in Zimbabwe gets underway on August 18.
He split his webbing during the IPL in April and May, missing five games for Sun Risers Hyderabad. The BCCI helped him secure a county contract with Lancashire after a lengthy rehabilitation, and he also produced a five-wicket performance for the “Roses” in a day’s game. The 22-year-old has so far competed in four tests, four ODIs, and thirty-one T20Is.
