IND vs NZ: Who will replace injured Washington Sundar? Here is India’s 11th player for the Rajkot ODI

In today second ODI against New Zealand at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Team India takes a big hit as their main all-rounder Washington Sundar is excluded from the collision. After India’s hard-fought win in Vadodara, the team management confirmed that Sundar would be unavailable for the rest of the series. In the meantime, the New Zealand skipper is in the game Michael Bracewell won the toss and chose to field first.

Who will step in for the injured Washington Sundar in the IND vs. NZ 2nd ODI? Here India XI is playing for Rajkot

In a major blow to the hosts just before the match build-up, the BCCI unveiled that star all-rounder Sundar would miss the meeting with Rajkot. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed that Sundar, who played a crucial cameo to help India cross the finish line in the first ODI, was ruled out after suffering an acute rib injury.

The injury occurred during the opening match in Vadodara where Sundar complained of discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling. His absence has led to a tactical reshuffle, leading to a maiden ODI call-up for Delhi’s explosive batsman Ayush Badoniwho joins the team as a direct replacement. Besides his off-spin, Sundar’s composure in the lower middle order is a big miss for India as he has become an important “finisher” and a bridge between the top and the tail. The team went with a fast bowling all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy to fill the vast void around.

‘One change: Nitish will replace Washington.’ said Gill at the toss.

India (Playing

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Pitch report for 2nd ODI, stats and records from Niranjan Shah Stadium

New Zealand’s tactical reshuffle and Jayden Lennox’s debut

The Rajkot match has become a platform for New Zealand’s redemption, especially with the left-arm spinner’s debut Jayden Lennox. Lennox has been brought into the playing XI as a replacement Adithya Ashokwhile the Black Caps want to exploit every possible twist on the Rajkot surface. Despite losing in the series opener, the Kiwis have retained their core Devon Conway And Daryl Mitchellcounting on Lennox to provide the “X-factor” in the middle overs.

“We’ve only made one change: Jaden Lennox comes in and makes his debut.” Bracewell said during the coin toss.

India’s line-up today is uniquely structured and appears somewhat light on spin bowling depth without Sundar’s economic surpluses, allowing Kuldeep Yadav with the heavy responsibility of anchoring the middle overs on a batting-friendly Rajkot track. With the series on the line, the second ODI will be less about previous records and more about whether New Zealand’s revamped bowling attack can dismantle the Indian ‘big three’ or whether the hosts will continue their winning streak at home.

READ also: IND versus NZ: 85th century approaching? Virat Kohli’s record at Niranjan Shah Stadium before Rajkot ODI against New Zealand