- Akash Vaishnav
ZIM VS IND: Washington Sundar was injured during his county tenure for Lancashire in the domestic One Day Cup, and he has been ruled out of India’s three-match ODI tour to Zimbabwe.
Sundar had attempted to halt a drive when he fell awkwardly on his shoulder and has since been questioned. The off-spinner will now need to go to NCA for his rehabilitation, adding another injury setback to his long list for the year.
Washington Sundar last participated in an international match during the ODI series against the West Indies in February. But ailments forced him to miss much of the action.
Shahbaz Ahmed, an all-rounder for the Royal Challengers Bangalore this season, has been selected as Bengal’s replacement for Sundar. Let’s have a look at three players who might have been selected to replace Washington Sundar for the Zimbabwe tour after the 27-year-old has received his first call-up to the Indian national team.
Rahul Tewatia, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the most recent IPL 2022 season. He shown his ability to maintain composure numerous times and was a great purchase at the auction. Tewatia was the game’s finisher after being purchased for a significant sum of money. And since Hardik Pandya showed up to bowl, Tewatia only participated as a batter.
Given his match-winning skills with the bat down the order and his ability to contribute with his leg spin bowling. Tewatia would have been excellent in the team given the likelihood that India will play Deepak Hooda in the top six. After a strong season with the Rajasthan Royals, he was once selected for the Indian team in 2020. But he was forced to withdraw owing to physical issues.
He contributed significantly to the Gujarat Titans’ championship-winning season by hitting two sixes off of two balls to win a game. He is a competent fielder within the circle, and India may have chosen to go with him. Tewatia can be a good choice for ZIM vs IND.
Despite being purchased for a high price. Krunal Pandya did not have the best of seasons with the Lucknow Super Giants. He scored 183 runs in 14 games during IPL 2022. On average 20.33 runs per game and at a strike rate of 126.20 runs per innings. The left-hander took 10 wickets with the ball, but his 6.97 economy rate was extremely excellent.
Pandya can bowl at various points in the game and is a valuable hitter down in the order. After a successful Vijay Hazare Trophy season, the young man from Baroda has already represented India in five ODIs and possesses match-winning abilities. Krunal earned his spot in the ODI squad for the Zimbabwe tour after accumulating 130 runs in five games at an average of 65.
The 31-year-old can serve as a backup option for someone like Axar Patel. And also adds a left-handed alternative to the mix. Pandya will undoubtedly play a role once the domestic season starts if he returns to rhythm.
Since Ravichandran Ashwin and Sundar, India’s two off spin all-rounders. Were unavailable for the Zimbabwe visit, Jayant Yadav might have received some playing time. The 32-year-old off spinner has a century in a Test for India and is no pushover with the bat. Yadav played significant roles for Mumbai Indians in past seasons despite sitting out the full IPL 2022 season.
He is also fairly proficient against left-handed bowlers. The all-rounder last represented India in the 2022 tour of South Africa. Where he recorded 0 for 53 in ten overs. Given the number of young athletes on the team, he can help the team for ZIM vs IND. Yadav’s ability to adjust his pace pretty well as well as his experience on the home circuit for Haryana may be useful.