IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Why did Washington Sundar not bat at No. 7?

India all-rounder Washington Sundar did not bat at his designated position during the side’s chase of 301 runs against New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara on Sunday.

Harshit Rana came out to bat at No. 7 after Kyle Jamieson took three quick wickets of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer to rattle the middle order.

Washington had suffered an injury during the first innings and hence was sent out only when needed, at No. 8. He went off the field in the 20th over in the first innings, clutching his back. He could bowl only five overs in the innings.

He was in visible discomfort through the run-a-ball seven-run innings. Though no official update was given by the Board of Control for Cricket in India about the injury, reports claimed that the spin-bowling all-rounder suffered a side strain.

But Washington was able to hold his end and got India through to a four-wicket win alongside KL Rahul.

Published on Jan 11, 2026