Major Blow for India, Star all-rounder has been ruled out of Zimbabwe tour due to injury

The Indian team led by KL Rahul has reached Zimbabwe for the three-match ODI series. The first ODI is to be played on August 18, Thursday, at Harare Cricket Club. However, just a couple of days ahead of the first ODI, the Men in Blue have faced a big blow.

India's star spin-bowling all-rounder has been ruled out of the series after suffering a shoulder injury. Washington Sundar, who recently recovered from his previous injury, unfortunately suffered another injury, which has forced him to rule out of the Zimbabwe tour.

Notably, the 22-year-old was on his way to making a comeback with the Indian team after missing a major part of the 2022 season. Earlier, he sustained a thumb injury during the TATA IPL 2020. He didn't feature in the remaining matches for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

However, after recovering from his previous injury, he decided to play for Lancashire Cricket Club in the English County tournament. He performed well, but on August 10, in a match against Worcestershire, while diving to stop a ball, he landed awkwardly on his shoulder.

He also left the field and was feeling soreness in his shoulder. And as per the report by ESPNCricinfo, the 22-year-old will have to miss the Zimbabwe tour. The rest of the team has already left for Zimbabwe on August 13. Sundar played his last international match against the West Indies on February 11.

Earlier, he missed the South African tour due to Covid-19, then he missed the T20I homeseries against West Indies and Sri Lanka due to Hamstring. He played nine games in the IPL 2023 but due to the injury to his bowling hand, he was ruled out of the rest of the season.

He played three one-day games and two County Championship matches for Lancashire this season. He picked up three wickets in one-day matches and eight wickets in red-ball games. India has sent their second-string team to Zimbabwe, which will be led by star opener KL Rahul. Rahul Dravid has also been rested, so it will be VVS Laxman who will be the head coach of the team.