England vs India 3rd ODI: India have been dealt a major blow ahead of the ODI series decider against England at Lord's on Sunday, with all-rounder Washington Sundar ruled out because of a hamstring injury. The three-match series is level at 1-1 after England bounced back with a win in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
Sundar suffered the injury while taking his first run during India's innings. The all-rounder appeared to be in discomfort immediately and received treatment from the team physio on the field before continuing briefly.
He managed just two runs from five balls before being dismissed, and his movement suggested the injury had worsened. His absence leaves India without an additional spin-bowling option and a useful lower-order batter for the deciding match.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed after the match that Sundar's injury appears to be serious.
"Washington's injury which he had when he ran his first run to mid-off. His hamstring, I think, it looks like a bad injury, and next ball he got out."
The team management is expected to assess his recovery timeline before deciding on the next course of treatment. His injury also forces India to rethink the balance of the playing XI for the series decider.
England levelled the series after Joe Root guided the hosts to victory with an unbeaten 99. Chasing 234, England found themselves at 125 for 5 before Root and Will Jacks added a crucial 72-run partnership to steady the innings.
The hosts eventually reached the target with four wickets to spare, erasing India's six-wicket victory in the opening ODI and setting up a winner-takes-all contest at Lord's.
India's batting struggled for consistency in Cardiff. Rohit Sharma scored 26 from 47 balls before being dismissed, while Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored half-centuries to help India post 233.
However, the total proved insufficient as England completed the chase comfortably, leaving India with selection decisions to make ahead of the final ODI.
