BCCI withdraws Washington Sundar from West Indies T20I series
Washington Sundar has been released from the T20I squad to prepare for the New Zealand Tests via domestic red-ball cricket.
The BCCI has withdrawn Washington Sundar from India's T20I squad for the West Indies series to allow him to prepare for the Test series against New Zealand. Naman Dhir has been named as his replacement in the 15-member group led by Shreyas Iyer.
Sundar will return to domestic cricket for the Ranji Trophy, which begins on October 11. The decision prioritises red-ball match practice ahead of the New Zealand assignment starting November 15. Prasidh Krishna has also been ruled out of the third ODI against the West Indies with a left hamstring injury, with Anshul Kamboj called up as his replacement.
The five-match T20I series begins on October 6. Naman Dhir was already part of the ODI squad but did not bat or take a wicket in the first two matches.
CricHubb Take
The move signals that the Test series against New Zealand is the priority window. Sundar's ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him valuable in the longer format, but the T20I series will test the depth of India's spin options.