India fans were left anxious after Washington Sundar did not walk out to bat during a dramatic phase of the chase, but fresh visuals and commentary from the middle have brought some relief. As things stand, Washington Sundar is likely to bat if required, although the team management remains cautious.
What happened to Washington Sundar?
Earlier in the innings, Sundar was reported to be carrying an injury. Initial commentary suggested a possible side strain, an issue that can be serious for an all-rounder. Later, it was clarified that Sundar had sprained his back while bowling, prompting the Indian team to hold him back when New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson was on a hat-trick.
With the situation tense and medical uncertainty around Sundar, India sent Harshit Rana instead, prioritising player safety over batting depth.
Positive signs from the middle
There is now encouraging news for India. The physio was seen checking on Sundar near the boundary, and importantly, Sundar was padded up and had his helmet on, indicating readiness to bat if needed. This suggests that while the injury concern hasn’t completely disappeared, it is not severe enough to rule him out of the innings.
Harshit Rana injury scare adds context
Meanwhile, Harshit Rana himself suffered a brief injury scare. After taking a single off Jamieson, Rana dived awkwardly while trying to make his ground following a sharp call from KL Rahul. He landed on his shoulder and was seen clutching it in pain. However, the good news is that Rana appeared fine and continued batting, easing immediate concerns.
So, will Sundar bat?
At this stage, all indications point to yes—Washington Sundar can bat today if the situation demands. The fact that he is fully padded up strongly suggests he is available, though India may still prefer to use him only if absolutely necessary to avoid aggravating his back issue.
In short, Sundar is on standby, fit enough to bat, but being managed carefully, as India balance the demands of the chase with long-term player fitness.