NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand after failing to recover from a side strain.
The 26-year-old picked up the injury in his left lower rib area while bowling during the opening ODI of the series. Although he completed the match, the discomfort forced him out of the remainder of the three-match ODI series.
Medical assessments have now confirmed that Sundar will not regain full fitness in time for the T20I series, which gets underway in Nagpur on January 21.
"Washington Sundar has been ruled out from T20 series vs NZ due to side strain," a BCCI official told PTI.
Washington's injury has cast serious doubt over his availability for the T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7.
Meanwhile, India have also been dealt another setback, with Tilak Varma ruled out of the first xthree T20Is against New Zealand after undergoing surgery for a groin injury.
