India's star all-rounder Washington Sundar doubtful to make playing XI for 1st Test vs West Indies, players check up on him during training session: Report

India’s star spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar is doubtful for the first Test of the two-Test series against West Indies at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, starting on October 2. Sundar injured his finger during County stint for Hampshire last month and was replaced by leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for their final match of the season.

On the eve of the first Test against West Indies, Sundar bowled in the nets but experienced discomfort. As per a report by TOI, he did not participate in the catching drills.

ALSO READ: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi apologises to BCCI but still refuses to return T20 Asia Cup 2025 trophy and medals to India

As it was clear that Sundar is highly unlikely to play the series opener, Test captain Shubman Gill had a conversation with him. Later, his teammates Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mohammed Siraj checked up on him, to take a look at his hand.

ALSO READ: INDU19 vs AUS U19: Vaibhav Suryavanshi torments young Aussie bowlers with 86-ball 113, tonks 8 sixes in 1st Youth Test

Sundar’s run in Tests since return

Sundar was in good form with the bat on England tour, scoring 284 runs from eight innings at an average of 47.33, including a century and fifty each. In seam-friendly conditions, he bowled 74.1 overs and claimed seven wickets, including a four-fer at the Lord’s, London.

Before the England tour, he claimed 16 wickets from two Tests against New Zealand at an average of 14.13, featuring a fifer and two four-fers. But, Sundar ended up on the losing side as the Tom Latham-led side completed a historic cleansweep on Indian soil.

He was not at his best with the bat on Australia tour, scoring 114 runs from six innings, including a solitary half-century. With the ball, he claimed 3 wickets at an average of 38.67.

Who will play in Sundar’s place?

India may opt to play with three spin options – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. In Sundar’s place, either Nitish Kumar Reddy or Devdutt Padikkal will walk into the side.

India’s Test squad against West Indies -

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), N Jagadeesan (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, B Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.