Washinton Sundar, the 22-year-old India all-rounder, has been ruled out of theupcoming series against Zimbabwe due to a shoulder injury. Sundar was primed to make an international comeback after a long lay-off but an injury sustained in Royal London ODI Cup played a spoilsport. 

Sundar injured his left shoulder while making a dive on the boundary line during a match between Lancashire and Worcestershire. He had to leave the field in the eighth over, and now instead of touring Zimbabwe, he’ll return back to India for rehabilitation.

“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.

The past 12 months have been horrific for the all-rounder, who kept picking various injuries, and once when he was fully fit, he got infected with Covid-19.

Just ahead of the Test series against England, Sundar dislocated his thumb after getting hit by a bouncer from Mohammed Siraj. He had to miss the second leg of the Indian Premier League last year due to a finger injury. He was selected in the Test squad for the South Africa tour, but then he contracted the virus and missed the plane.

Sundar then suffered a Grade 1 hamstring injury and missed out on the three-match home series against West Indies. Sundar has been in fine touch for Lancashire the whole season, and his place in the playing XI for the Zimbabwe series was almost confirmed. But he’ll have to wait longer now. 

The BCCI has announced Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement. Ahmed plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and Bengal in the domestic tournaments. In first-class cricket, his batting average is over 40 and his bowling average is a shade below 20. 

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