IND Vs ZIM 2022 Squad: Lanky all-arounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of India's ODI tour of Zimbabwe. The 27-year-old batting all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been called up as his replacement. BCCI informed that Sundar is ruled out due to a shoulder injury. It's the first national call-up for Shahbaz.
In his short career at the representative level so far, Shahbaz has made a name as a strong lower-middle-order batter and left-arm spinner, both for Bengal, who he represents in India's domestic circuit, as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
In first-class cricket, Shahbaz has a batting average of 41.64 and a bowling average of 19.47 from 18 games, while the corresponding numbers in List A cricket are 47.28 and 39.20.
Shahbaz started with Royal Challengers in 2020, two years after making his debut for Bengal, and has so far scored 279 runs at an average of 18.60 and strike rate of 118.72 from 29 games, while also picking up 13 wickets at an average of 36.31 and economy rate of 8.58.
Washington's participation in the three-match ODI series, to be played in Harare between August 18 and 22, became doubtful after Washington injured himself on August 10 while diving in the field to try and stop a drive during his county stint with Lancashire.
The batsman will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, a BCCI official told PTI.
India's Squad for Zimbabwe Tour
India is going to be led in Zimbabwe by KL Rahul, returning after injury, with VVS Laxman, the NCA chief, acting as the head coach while Rahul Dravid takes a break ahead of the Asia Cup later this month.
India’s Squad For 3 ODIs: KL Rahul (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shahbaz Ahmed.