IND vs SA ODI: 3 Indian Players Who Can Replace Washington Sundar In The ODI Squad 

India’s spin bowling all-rounder, Washington Sundar has tested positive for Covid-19. This has been a big blow for the Indian Cricket Team as Sundar was part of India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. Washington Sundar, as a result, won’t be travelling to South Africa with other Indian players who have been selected for the ODI series.

As per the schedule, the three ODIs in South Africa are to be played on 19th, 21st, and 23rd January 2022. Washington Sundar hasn’t played any international game since March last year. He made his last appearance during India’s T20 home series against England in March 2021.

As per a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI official has confirmed that Sundar has been tested positive for the virus and won’t be travelling to South Africa with the squad.

“He tested positive some days back and it has been decided that he will not travel with the squad.” A BCCI official told Cricbuzz. The Board of Control for Cricket in India hasn’t yet announced any replacement for Washington Sundar in the Indian Team squad. In this article, let’s take a look at three players who can replace Washington Sundar in the ODI squad

IND vs SA ODI: 3 Indian Players Who Can Replace Washington Sundar In The ODI Squad

1. Axar Patel

Axar Patel isn’t part of the current Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. India went with three spin options in Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Washington Sunday. The pitches in South Africa don’t really assist a lot to the spinners and thus three picks are more than enough for the ODI series.

However, with Washington Sundar getting covid-19 positive, the BCCI might add Axar Patel to the squad. He is likely to add variety to the spin attack with his left-arm spin option. Besides, he can add depth to the batting line-up with his ability to add runs with the bat. So far in his international cricket career, Axar Patel has managed to play 38 one-day internationals, picking 45 wickets at 31.3.

2. Jayant Yadav

Skipper Rohit Sharma and the team management have shown confidence in Jayant Yadav’s spin-bowling exploits. He was added to India’s squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand. He also played the second Test of the series but bowled only seven overs in the match.

Jayant Yadav also made the cut in India’s squad for the ongoing Test series against South Africa. With him already in South Africa, he could well be asked to stay there for the ODI series as well. The 31-year-old spinner has played one ODI for India in his ODI cricket career and also has a wicket to his name.

3. Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya made his one-day international debut during India’s ODI series at home against England in March last year. He scored a half-century in the first ODI of the series but was ineffective with the ball. Krunal Pandya’s recent form doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.

He didn’t have a great IPL last year while playing for MI but the management might want to give him another chance to show his all-round prowess. Krunal Pandya has had a decent record in the short ODI career and could well be a like-for-like replacement for Washington Sundar ahead of the ODI series against South Africa. So far in his ODI career, Krunal Pandya has managed to score 130 runs in 5 matches at an average of 65.