Shahbaz Ahmed Gets Maiden India Call-Up, Replaces Injured Washington Sundar
Washington was ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour due to his shoulder injury which happened while playing a County game in England.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been added into the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe tour as he replaced the injured Washington Sundar in the squad for the Zimbabwe series.
The Bengal-based left-arm spinner had a decent season in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League, having accumulated 219 runs and four wickets in 16 matches.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee named Shahbaz Ahmed as the replacement for Washington Sundar for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe,” the BCCI said in a statement.
The Tamil Nadu all-rounder Washington Sundar ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour after sustaining a shoulder injury while playing a List A game for Lancashire in the ongoing Royal London One-Day Cup.
“Yes, Washington Sundar is ruled out of the Zimbabwe series. He has suffered an injury on his left shoulder while fielding during the Royal London Cup game between Lancashire and Worcestershire at Old Trafford. He will have to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy,” a senior BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI.
“You feel for Washi. Such a talented guy. Somehow or the other, the rub of the green isn’t going his way. He needs some luck. The latest injury is a freak one as he was just about to play for India in a week,” another official privy to the development said.
The string of injuries have taken a huge toll on Sundar’s career. He last played a T20I for India against England in March 2021 while his last ODI match for the Men in Blue came against West Indies in February 2022. He was also infected by Covid-19 earlier this year.