Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Washington Sundar, T Natarajan Set To Make Comeback After Rehabbing From Respective Injuries

Dynamic allrounder Washington Sundar, who has been a victim of recent injuries is set to make a comeback to the Tamil Nadu squad in the upcoming 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 22-year-old has been appointed vice-captain with Baba Aparajith replacing Vijay Shankar as captain.

Vijay is yet to recover from the shoulder surgery he underwent after his IPL stint with Gujarat Titans. Alongside Sundar, T Natarajan, who has been dealing with a recurring knee injury since his memorable tour of Australia in 2020-21, is also set to return to action and lead Tamil Nadu in their quest to defend their T20 title. The pacer hasn’t played a single competitive game since IPL 2022. Natarajan and Vijay were also sidelined from the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

Washington Sundar enjoyed a successful stint in the County Championship

Washington Sundar is rehabbing his way back after he landed heavily on his left shoulder during his county stint with Lancashire in August. The injury forced him to pull out of India’s ODI series in Zimbabwe. This is only the latest in a long sequence of injury setbacks for the young allrounder.

Washington Sundar has played just three Royal London Cup matches for Lancashire, scoring 30 runs in two innings and picking up three wickets. Prior to that, he played two County Championship matches too, starring in the win over Northamptonshire with a first-innings haul of 5 for 76 and a knock of 34* in a successful chase of 278.

Washington Sundar is unlikely to travel to the UK for County Championship Final rounds

Around the time Washington was returning to India for rehab in August, Lancashire had tweeted he “will fly home to India to undergo treatment on his injured left shoulder, with a view to the all-rounder potentially returning to play in the #LVCountyChamp in September”.

However, according to ESPNcricinfo reports, it has now been learned that Washington is unlikely to head back to the UK for the final rounds of the County Championship.