Indian cricket faced an injury concern as all-rounder Washington Sundar suffered a side strain during the first One Day International against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Despite the setback, Sundar showed remarkable grit, returning to bat and playing a crucial role in India's thrilling four-wicket victory.
Injury Scare Mid-Match
The 26-year-old off-spinner, who had bowled a tidy spell of 5 overs for 27 runs, was forced to walk off the field midway through the New Zealand innings. He did not return to field, raising immediate concerns about his fitness. The discomfort, however, did not deter him from contributing with the bat later in the high-pressure chase.
At the post-match presentation, India's captain Shubman Gill confirmed the nature of the injury. "Washington Sundar has a side strain and will go for a scan after the match," Gill stated, putting the cricketing fraternity on alert regarding the player's condition.
A Gritty Cameo Seals the Win
Demonstrating immense courage, Sundar later walked out to bat at Number 8, with India needing a stable finish. Partnering with the experienced KL Rahul (29 not out), Sundar scored an unbeaten 7 runs. The duo stitched together a match-winning, unbroken 27-run stand off just 16 balls, guiding India to a total of 306 for 6 in 49 overs, successfully chasing New Zealand's target of 301 with six balls to spare.
Interestingly, Rahul revealed he was unaware of the severity of his partner's injury during their partnership. "I didn't know he couldn't run. I knew he had some discomfort in the first innings but wasn't aware of the extent," Rahul said. He praised Sundar's composure, adding, "He was striking the ball really well. When he came in, we were already scoring at about a run-a-ball, so there was no need to take risks. There wasn't much pressure on him. He rotated the strike and did his job."
Kohli, Gill Shine in Successful Chase
The foundation for the win was laid by a magnificent 93 off 91 balls from Virat Kohli, which included eight fours and a six. Captain Shubman Gill contributed a solid 56, while Shreyas Iyer chipped in with 49 runs. Their efforts helped India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
For New Zealand, pacer Kyle Jamieson was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 41 runs in his 10 overs. Adithya Ashok and Kristian Clarke claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, New Zealand posted 300 for 8, largely thanks to a counter-attacking half-century from Daryl Mitchell. The Indian bowling attack shared the wickets, with Mohammed Siraj (2/40), Harshit Rana (2/65), and Prasidh Krishna (2/60) taking two scalps each. Kuldeep Yadav also claimed one wicket.
The focus now shifts to Sundar's scan results, which will determine his availability for the remainder of the series. His injury presents a selection puzzle for the Indian team management as they look to consolidate their series lead.
