Kaif Questions India for Playing an Already Injured Sundar in Cardiff

Mohammad Kaif has questioned why India picked Washington Sundar for the second ODI against England when, in his view, the all-rounder was already injured.

What was seen

Sundar received treatment while batting and appeared to have a strap on his thigh. He was out on the very next ball and did not bowl, which left India with only five bowling options in their four-wicket defeat in Cardiff.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif said Sundar had arrived with his hamstring bandaged and was pushed into the game. He asked whether he could have been rested and a fit player given the chance instead.

The impact on the bowling

Defending 234, India relied on Shivam Dube as fifth bowler. With Joe Root holding one end, captain Shubman Gill had few ways to rotate his attack.

Kaif noted that Dube does not play much ODI cricket and has been absent from the side for years, so bowling ten overs was a big ask. With Sundar available, he said, the captain could have planned around roughly six overs from him.

He added that Sundar’s absence clearly mattered because the pitch was a little slow and the cow corners at the ground were large, giving spinners a role.

The match

India had been comfortable at 178 before being bowled out for 233. England chased it down with four wickets in hand, Root unbeaten on 99 from 133 balls, to make the series 1-1. The decider is at Lord’s.