Royal Challengers Bangalore will be without their allrounder Washington Sundar for the UAE leg of IPL 2021 after he failed to fully recover from a finger injury. Washington Sundar had sustained the injury in the UK last month which ruled him out of the ongoing Test series between India and England as well.
Washington Sundar hurt his finger during a warm-up match in the lead-up of the five-match series.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Naes Bengal Pacer Akash Deep As Washington Sundar’s Replacement As The Spin All Rounder Is Ruled Out Of IPL 2021 UAE Leg
Washington Sundar has played 42 IPL matches since 2017 managing 217 runs and picking 27 scalps. In 6 matches in IPL 2021, he picked 3 scalps and scored 31 runs.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore’s all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the Vivo IPL 2021 due to a finger injury,” RCB said in a media release on Monday.
Washington Sundar appeared in a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru a few days back but could not clear that. Bengal cricketer Akash Deep, who is with Royal Challengers Bangalore as their net bowler, has been named as Washington Sundar’s replacement.
“Akash Deep, a state cricketer from Bengal and net bowler with the franchise has been named as a replacement. The move reiterates the focus RCB has on grooming and nurturing young players as the team continues to develop exceptional talents and create a pathway for young talents to find their way into IPL and Indian Cricket,” the statement read.
The 24-year-old Akash Deep is a medium-pacer who has played nine first-class matches apart from 11 List A and 15 T20 games as well. In 15 T20s, he has taken 21 wickets at 16.85 and an economy of 6.67.
Washington Sundar May Not Be Picked In T20I World Cup Squad
Talented youngster Washington Sundar was ruled out of the second phase of the IPL starting in the UAE on September 19 as the finger injury he suffered in England has not healed completely and he could not clear the fitness test at the NCA.
Washington Sundar, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore, had traveled to England with the Indian Test squad but returned to the country after injuring his finger while playing in a County game that served as a practice game for the visitors.
The 21-year-old, who is an off-spinner and a useful batsman, had turned up for the County side and was hit by India pacer Mohammed Siraj, forcing the all-rounder out of the tour. The World Twenty20(T20I World cup 2021) is slated to begin immediately after the conclusion of the IPL and it remains to be seen if Washington Sundar is picked in the Indian squad without playing a single IPL game.
The second leg of IPL 2021 resumes in UAE when Chennai Super Kings take on defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 19. RCB will resume their campaign on September 20 when they take on former two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
When the league was suspended in the first week of May this year, RCB was in the third spot having won five of their seven matches while losing twice.
Royal Challengers Bangalore has roped in Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga as a replacement for Australia’s Adam Zampa. Wanindu Hasaranga bagged a total of 7 wickets, including a 4-wicket haul in the final T20I during the recent limited-overs series against India. Other replacements for RCB are Dushmantha Chameera for Daniel Sams, left-arm quick George Garton for Kane Richardson, and Tim David for New Zealand’s Finn Allen.