Kaif Cites Shubman Gill Example to Criticise Sundar’s Use in 1st ODI

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has criticized the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management for what he described as inconsistent handling of player injuries, following Washington Sundar's participation in the first ODI against New Zealand despite being injured. In the match played on January 12, 2026, at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara, Sundar came out to bat lower down the order and remained unbeaten on 7 off 7 balls as KL Rahul guided India to a successful chase of 301 runs. However, the all-rounder was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the three-match series and replaced by Ayush Badoni.

Kaif highlighted the apparent double standards in the management's approach, drawing a comparison to the treatment of opener Shubman Gill during the recent Test series against South Africa. He pointed out that Gill was rested from batting in the high-scoring Kolkata Test despite the team's need for additional runs in order to protect him from aggravating a niggle. In contrast, Sundar was sent in to bat under pressure in the Vadodara ODI, even though his injury limited his mobility—he could only manage singles and struggled with running between the wickets.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif expressed concern over the risk involved, stating that sending an injured player into such a situation could unnecessarily prolong recovery time. "If he is injured and you need runs at a run-a-ball, you should first try someone else," he said. "When a player is injured and you send him in under pressure, the injury can worsen." He noted that while India secured the victory, the decision carried the potential to turn a short-term issue into an absence of 20-30 days instead of one to two weeks. Kaif suggested alternatives such as Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, or Prasidh Krishna could have been used earlier to avoid exposing Sundar.

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The incident has sparked debate about player welfare and management priorities in Indian cricket, especially under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Although the gamble paid off in the context of the match result, critics like Kaif argue that long-term health considerations should take precedence over short-term gains. Sundar's exclusion from the series underscores the impact of the decision, raising questions about whether a more cautious approach could have preserved his availability for future assignments.

The second ODI of the series against New Zealand is scheduled next, with India leading 1-0. The focus will now shift to how the team adapts without Sundar's services in both batting and bowling departments, while the management faces scrutiny over balancing competitive needs with player protection.

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