Washington Sundar Ruled Out of England ODI Series Decider with Hamstring Injury

India have suffered a major setback ahead of the series decider after Washington Sundar injury forced the all-rounder out of the third ODI against England at Lord’s. The Washington Sundar injury comes at a crucial stage of the three-match series, leaving India’s team management with an important selection decision before the final match. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Washington Sundar will miss the decisive encounter, while left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been added to the squad as his replacement.

Washington Sundar Injury Forces India Into Late Squad Change

The BCCI officially announced that Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the third ODI after sustaining a right hamstring injury during the second match of the series in Cardiff.

The injury occurred while Sundar was batting late in India’s innings. Although he briefly continued after receiving treatment, the discomfort was clearly visible. He required heavy strapping on his right hamstring and struggled to move comfortably while running between the wickets.

Following his dismissal, the all-rounder experienced difficulty climbing the dressing-room stairs and was unable to take the field during England’s run chase.

Medical staff will now conduct detailed scans before Sundar consults a specialist to determine the severity of the injury and the next stage of his rehabilitation.

Harsh Dubey Replaces Washington Sundar in India’s Squad

India have responded quickly by calling up promising all-rounder Harsh Dubey for the final ODI.

Dubey recently earned his first ODI cap during India’s home series against Afghanistan, where he impressed selectors with both his bowling and composure under pressure.

On his ODI debut in Dharamsala, the 22-year-old returned impressive figures of 3 wickets for 47 runs, showing his ability to contribute in middle overs with left-arm spin.

His inclusion gives India another spin-bowling all-round option, although it remains unclear whether he will directly replace Sundar in the playing XI.

How Washington Sundar Injury Affects India’s Playing XI

The Washington Sundar injury creates an interesting selection dilemma for the Indian team management.

Axar Patel already occupies the spin-bowling all-rounder role and has performed consistently throughout the series. His Player of the Match performance in the opening ODI makes him one of India’s most reliable options.

Rather than introducing another similar all-rounder, India could strengthen their bowling attack by bringing Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI.

The left-arm wrist-spinner has yet to feature during the England tour despite being one of India’s leading wicket-taking options in limited-overs cricket.

If conditions at Lord’s offer assistance to slower bowlers, Kuldeep’s variations could become a valuable weapon in the series decider.

What Happened During the Second ODI?

Washington Sundar’s injury occurred while batting during the closing stages of India’s innings in Cardiff.

Television cameras showed the all-rounder receiving treatment after experiencing discomfort in his right hamstring. Despite attempting to continue, his movement remained restricted.

After returning to the pavilion, Sundar was clearly struggling physically and did not participate in England’s chase.

The BCCI later confirmed that further medical evaluation would be necessary before deciding his recovery timeline.

The timing of the injury is unfortunate, with India preparing for one of the most important matches of the series.

Harsh Dubey Ready for a Big Opportunity

Harsh Dubey now has a chance to strengthen his position within India’s white-ball setup.

The youngster has steadily progressed through domestic cricket and impressed selectors with his consistency.

Known for his accurate left-arm spin and useful lower-order batting, Dubey offers balance to the squad and provides another bowling option if conditions favour spin.

Although Axar Patel currently appears ahead in the pecking order, Dubey’s inclusion reflects India’s confidence in developing young all-round talent.

Even if he does not make the final XI, working alongside senior players in a high-pressure series remains valuable experience.

India Face Selection Questions Before Lord’s Decider

With the series level heading into the final ODI, India’s team management must carefully evaluate the balance of the side.

Several combinations remain possible:

Option 1: Continue with Axar Patel

• Maintains batting depth
• Retains an experienced all-round option
• Provides control during middle overs

Option 2: Bring in Kuldeep Yadav

• Adds a genuine wicket-taking spinner
• Offers greater variety against England’s middle order
• Strengthens attacking bowling options

Option 3: Debut Harsh Dubey

• Adds another left-arm spinning all-rounder
• Rewards recent performances
• Provides future international experience

The final decision will likely depend on pitch conditions at Lord’s and India’s preferred team balance.

India’s Updated Squad for the Third ODI

India’s squad for the final ODI now includes:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
• KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
• Axar Patel
• Shivam Dube
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Prasidh Krishna
• Arshdeep Singh
• Gurnoor Brar
• Prince Yadav
• Harsh Dubey

Can India Overcome Washington Sundar’s Absence?

Washington Sundar has become an important part of India’s limited-overs setup because of his ability to contribute in multiple departments.

Losing him before a decisive match is undoubtedly a setback.

However, India’s squad depth remains one of its biggest strengths. Experienced players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, along with emerging talents such as Harsh Dubey, give the team several quality options.

With the series on the line, India will now look to adapt quickly and produce another strong performance at Lord’s despite Sundar’s unfortunate injury setback.