Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has been officially ruled out of the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand due to an injury sustained during the first match in Vadodara. Reports indicate he suffered a rib injury, also described as a side strain. The incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, during New Zealand's innings, where Sundar bowled five overs before experiencing discomfort and leaving the field. Despite his injury, he bravely returned to bat at number eight as India chased down New Zealand's total, visibly struggling while running between the wickets. A BCCI official confirmed his withdrawal, stating he was ruled out due to "discomfort in his left lower rib area." This news comes as a fresh blow to the Indian team, which is already grappling with other significant injuries. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was previously ruled out of the same ODI series due to a side strain, and Tilak Varma is unavailable for the initial T20Is against New Zealand following groin surgery. India's ODI captain, Shubman Gill, had initially provided an update after the first match, confirming that Sundar would undergo scans for a side strain. Multiple credible Indian news outlets, including NDTV Sports, The Indian Express, India Today, and Times Now, have corroborated this story, making it a widely reported and verified development in Indian cricket. Sundar's absence poses a challenge for India's team composition and serves as a warning sign regarding player fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. This ongoing series is part of India's preparations for the World Cup, making the injury concerns particularly pertinent.