Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand after sustaining a side strain, dealing a setback to India’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar. The injury occurred during the first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, when Sundar felt sharp discomfort in his lower ribs while bowling. He was immediately assessed by the medical team and later underwent scans followed by an in-person consultation with a specialist.
Subsequent evaluations confirmed a side strain, prompting the BCCI medical staff to advise Sundar to take complete rest for the next few days. Once the initial recovery phase is completed, the 24-year-old will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), where he will undergo a structured rehabilitation programme focused on recovery and workload management.
No definitive timeline has been set for his return, with the board opting for a cautious approach. In Washington Sundar’s absence, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been drafted into the T20I squad, adding a wicket-taking option to India’s bowling attack.
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The selectors have also made another change, with Shreyas Iyer named as a replacement for Tilak Varma for the first three T20Is. Tilak has been sidelined due to a groin injury and is currently under close supervision of the BCCI medical team.
🚨 News 🚨
Shreyas Iyer & Ravi Bishnoi added to #TeamIndia T20I squad; Washington Sundar ruled out.
Details ▶️ https://t.co/cNWHX9TOVk#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 16, 2026
The board confirmed that Tilak is yet to resume physical training as the wound in the groin area has not fully healed. Further updates on his availability will be shared once he returns to skill-based activities. His absence is significant, given his growing importance in India’s T20 setup over the past year.
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The five-match T20I series against New Zealand is set to begin on January 21 in Nagpur. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, India will be keen to manage player fitness carefully while building momentum. Fans and team management alike will hope for swift recoveries for both Sundar and Tilak as the Men in Blue look to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the marquee tournament.
India’s updated T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
