Washington Sundar has been withdrawn from India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies, with the selectors opting to give him time to prepare for the longer format ahead of the Test series against New Zealand.
Sundar is currently representing India at the Asian Games in Japan. He will now return to domestic cricket, with the Ranji Trophy season scheduled to begin on October 11.
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The selectors want Sundar to get some red-ball cricket under his belt before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, making match practice particularly important as the team prepares for the longer-format assignment.
Naman Dhir has been named as Sundar’s replacement in the T20I squad. Dhir recently made his ODI debut in Trivandrum but is yet to play an international T20 match.
The Mumbai Indians all-rounder has considerable experience in domestic and franchise T20 cricket. In 61 T20 matches, Dhir has scored 1,222 runs at a strike rate of 156.26. He has also contributed with the ball, taking eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.40.
Dhir was part of Mumbai Indians’ campaign in IPL 2026 and featured in all 14 matches for the franchise. He scored 318 runs at a strike rate of 147.22, including two half-centuries.
The selectors have also made a change to India’s ODI squad ahead of the third match against West Indies in New Chandigarh.
Fast bowler Anshul Kamboj has been called up to replace Prasidh Krishna, who has been ruled out of the third ODI after sustaining a hamstring injury. Krishna will now travel to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to begin his rehabilitation.
Kamboj brings Test experience to the squad but is yet to make his international debut in either of the two white-ball formats. He made his Test debut against England in Manchester last year.
The 25-year-old is currently involved with India A in the unofficial Test series against Australia A in Puducherry. His inclusion provides India with another pace option for the third ODI.
The changes come as India balance their immediate limited-overs commitments with preparations for the upcoming Test season. While Dhir gets an opportunity to strengthen his international credentials in the shortest format, Sundar will focus on building his red-ball workload ahead of the New Zealand series.
India’s selectors will also monitor Kamboj’s progress as the team deals with Krishna’s injury ahead of the third ODI.
