Overview
- India confirmed the spin‑bowling all‑rounder will miss the five T20Is against New Zealand after a side strain suffered in the first ODI at Vadodara.
- Scans and BCCI medical advice have sidelined Sundar for roughly two weeks, with rehabilitation set to begin at the board’s Centre of Excellence.
- Sundar’s availability for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting February 7, is uncertain, though he is named in India’s provisional 15.
- Tilak Varma, recovering from recent surgery, is expected to miss at least the opening three T20Is, adding to India’s pre‑tournament fitness concerns.
- Selectors retain primary spin options in Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, with short‑term cover available and changes permitted to the provisional squad until January 31 subject to ICC rules thereafter.