3 players who can replace Washington Sundar for Zimbabwe ODI series
India all-rounder Washington Sundar has struggled to stay fit and remain in contention for the Indian team. After a long injury layoff, he was named in the squad for the ODI series against Zimbabwe that starts on August 18.
However, Washington Sundar injured his left shoulder when he dived in the infield to stop a drive while playing for his county side, Lancashire, in the Royal London Cup match against Worcestershire at Old Trafford on August 10.
As per reports, his shoulder was sore and hence, he could not take any further part in the match. The injury to Washington is another setback after he missed India's T20Is at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Here, we take a look at three players who could be a possible replacement for Washington Sundar:
#3 Mohsin Khan
In Arshdeep Singh, India has finally found a great left-arm seam option. He will possibly be a part of the T20 World Cup squad. However, there is another seamer in Mohsin Khan who can be tried out in the Zimbabwe ODIs.
Mohsin Khan forced people to sit up and take note of his performances for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022.
In the IPL, he picked up 14 wickets in nine matches, bowling at an economy rate of 5.97. The left-arm seamer also has an impressive record in List A cricket β 47 wickets in 35 matches, at an average of 17 and this series could be an opportunity to test his mettle.
#2 Sarfaraz Khan
India have a plethora of batting options at the top of the order and, hence, Sarfaraz Khan could fit in perfectly in the middle order. Sarfaraz had an excellent campaign with Mumbai in this season's Ranji Trophy. He finished as the tournamentβs leading run-scorer with 982 runs at an average of 122. He ended the tournament with four centuries in nine innings.
The 24-year-old has not yet been selected in the Indian squad and this Zimbabwe tour could be the perfect opportunity for him to be given a go. He has shown that he has the temperament to play a defining innings in pressure scenarios and after such a dominant run in the domestic season, the right-hander deserves a spot in the Indian team for the ODI series against Zimbabwe.
#1 Ravi Bishnoi
Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been a part of India's T20I squad for a while now. He has been impressive in the opportunities that he has received, but has not made it to the ODI squad that will take on Zimbabwe.
After another stellar display in the IPL with 13 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 8.44, he has emerged as one of the go-to spinners in the shortest format.
As per the composition of the side, he would well have to wait to make his ODI debut. However, as Washington Sundar might miss out, Bishnoi could be the attacking option for KL Rahul in the middle overs.