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]IND vs NZ T20Is: Shreyas Iyer Replaces Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi in for Washington Sundar
by K D Mishra
The BCCI has announced that Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi will join the squad for the New Zealand T20Is. Washington Sundar was ruled out of the ODI Series due to a side injury, which will avoid him from participating in the 5-match series that starts on January 21st. Washington will rest and will report to CoE in Bengaluru.
Washington will be replaced by Bishnoi. Reports have suggested Washington could miss the India & New Zealand T20I series and potentially the T20 World Cup 2026. BCCI now confirms the serious nature of Washington's injury, but it’s still unknown if he will participate in the ICC Event.
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BCCI said that,
“Washington Sundar underwent scans after reporting an acute onset discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 11 January. This was followed by an in-person consultation with an expert. He has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised rest for a few days, following which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) for further management of his injury,”
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Washington Sundar All-rounder
Washington Sundar is a dynamic Indian left-handed batting, right-arm off-spin all-rounder, known for his crucial performances in T20s and Tests, playing for India, Tamil Nadu, and recently Gujarat Titans (IPL), with key records including a historic Gabba Test knock and being a 'Man of the Series' in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, rising from U-19s to international stardom with impactful spells and vital lower-order runs.
The Indian cricket team has selected Bishnoi to replace Washington after his last appearance with the national side was against England back on February 4th, 2025. Although, his statistics are up-down, his breakout performance came while representing his state of Gujarat at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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Shreyas Iyer Batter
Shreyas Santosh Iyer is an Indian right-handed middle-order batsman, known for his aggressive style, playing for India, Mumbai, and captaining Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL; he made a significant impact in the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, scoring centuries in Tests/ODIs and leading KKR to an IPL title before his record-breaking move to PBKS, earning him a central contract recall despite initial setbacks.
Shreyas will be taking the place of Tilak Varma due to the recovery process from surgery. He will miss the first three T20s as he works towards making a full recovery. Shreyas has built up such momentum through the IPL and steadily increased his game performance and subsequently, the BCCI has been kind enough to give Shreyas a slot within their T20 World Cup line-up.
Prior to his selection for the T20 squad this year, Shreyas had played his last T20 match back on December 3rd, 2023, and has not been selected again. If Tilak is still not available, Shreyas stands a very good chance of getting a few games in for the T20 World Cup.
India’s squad for New Zealand T20I series
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
