Washington Sundar sidelined with rib injury; uncapped Ayush Badoni earns maiden India call-up

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India allrounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a rib injury during the series opener in Vadodara. The BCCI has confirmed that uncapped batter Ayush Badoni has been added to the squad as his replacement.

Washington picked up the injury while bowling in the first ODI at the BCA Stadium on Sunday. He bowled five overs for 27 runs before walking off the field midway through New Zealand’s innings and did not return to field. Despite the discomfort, he later came out to bat at No. 8 as India went on to secure a four-wicket victory.

In an official statement released on Monday, the BCCI said: “Washington Sundar reported an acute onset discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on Sunday. He will undergo further scans, following which the BCCI Medical Team will seek expert opinion.”

Ayush Badoni, 26, has received his maiden call-up to the Indian senior team. He has featured in 27 List A matches, scoring runs at an average of 36.47, including one century and five half-centuries. While primarily a batter, Badoni has been working on adapting to lower-order roles and contributing with part-time offspin.

In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Badoni has bowled 22 overs across three innings for Delhi, picking up four wickets at an average of 19.75 and an economy rate of 3.59. Though his batting returns this season have been modest, he has enjoyed success over the years batting at No. 5 or lower, with his only List A hundred coming from that position. He also brings IPL experience, having played 56 matches for Lucknow Super Giants.

Washington Sundar is the third Indian player to be sidelined by injury in recent days. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the ODI series last week due to a side strain, while Tilak Varma will miss the first three T20Is following surgery for a groin injury.

India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill had earlier provided an update on Washington’s condition after the first ODI, saying: “Washington Sundar has a side strain and will go for a scan after the match.”

Following the opening ODI in Vadodara, India and New Zealand will face off in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. The teams will then shift focus to the five-match T20I series, scheduled to be played in Nagpur (January 21), Raipur (January 23), Guwahati (January 25), Visakhapatnam (January 28), and Thiruvananthapuram (January 31). The series will serve as key preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March.