Washington is the third Indian player to pick up an injury. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against New Zealand after suffering a side strain during India’s series-opening match in Vadodara on Sunday (January 11, 2026).
The Hindu understands that Washington is expected to take around a fortnight to recover from the injury sustained while fielding. During the match, he picked up the injury in the field and returned to the pavilion after bowling just five overs. He did not take the field for the remainder of New Zealand’s innings, which resulted in only one Indian bowler completing his full quota of 10 overs.
Despite being in visible discomfort, Washington was forced to walk out to bat at No. 8 during a tense chase of 301 after Harshit Rana was dismissed. He struggled to move freely and largely held one end as KL Rahul finished the chase in the penultimate over.
Washington’s injury rules him out of the remainder of the ODI series and also puts his availability for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand in doubt. He is unlikely to be fit for the initial T20Is, handing the team management and selection committee another concern ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup.
India are already set to be without Tilak Varma for the first three T20Is against New Zealand. With Tilak sidelined and Washington racing against time to regain fitness, the build-up to the World Cup has become increasingly complicated for the Indian camp.
Both players will be under pressure to recover in time, with India scheduled to begin its T20 World Cup campaign in Mumbai on February 7.
Published – January 12, 2026 11:37 am IST
