Shreyas Iyer added to India’s T20I squad for New Zealand series

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on January 21. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Friday.

Sundar suffered discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11. He later underwent scans and was assessed by a specialist. The all-rounder has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised to take rest for a few days. After the initial recovery period, he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further treatment and monitoring.

The BCCI Selection Committee has named leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as Sundar’s replacement for the T20I series.

In another update, the selectors have added Shreyas Iyer to the T20I squad for the first three matches. He replaces Tilak Varma, who is currently recovering from an abdominal issue.

Varma recently underwent surgery in Rajkot and was discharged from hospital on Thursday morning. He is set to return to Hyderabad and is said to be stable and recovering well.

India’s updated squad will assemble ahead of the opening T20I as preparations continue for the series.

India's updated T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi.