In today’s second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Team India faces a significant blow as their premier all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the clash. Following India’s hard-fought victory in Vadodara, the team management confirmed that Sundar would be unavailable for the remainder of the series. In the game, meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to field first.
Who steps in for injured Washington Sundar in the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI? Here’s India’s playing XI for Rajkot
In a significant blow to the hosts just moments before the match buildup, the BCCI revealed that star all-rounder Sundar would miss the Rajkot encounter. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed that Sundar, who played a vital cameo to help India cross the finish line in the first ODI, was ruled out after suffering an acute rib injury.
The injury occurred during the opening game in Vadodara, where Sundar complained of discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling. His absence has forced a tactical reshuffle, leading to a maiden ODI call-up for Delhi’s explosive batter Ayush Badoni, who joins the squad as a direct replacement. Beyond his off-spin, Sundar’s composure in the lower-middle order is a major miss for India, as he has become a key “finisher” and a bridge between the top order and the tail. The team went with fast bowling allrounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy to fill the massive all-round void.
“One change, Nitish comes in for Washington.” Gill said at the toss.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
New Zealand’s tactical reshuffle and the debut of Jayden Lennox
The Rajkot match has become a platform for New Zealand’s redemption, most notably featuring the debut of left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox. Lennox has been brought into the playing XI to replace Adithya Ashok, as the Black Caps look to exploit any potential turn on the Rajkot surface. Despite the loss in the series opener, the Kiwis have retained their core of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, banking on Lennox to provide the “X-factor” in the middle overs.
“We’ve made just the one change – Jaden Lennox is coming in and making his debut.” Bracewell said during the toss.
India’s lineup is uniquely structured today, appearing slightly light on spin-bowling depth without Sundar’s economical overs, leaving Kuldeep Yadav with the heavy responsibility of anchoring the middle overs on a batting-friendly Rajkot track. With the series on the line, the second ODI is less about previous records and more about whether New Zealand’s revamped bowling attack can dismantle the Indian “big three” or if the hosts will continue their winning streak at home.
