IPL 2021: RCB all-rounder Washington Sundar ruled out of UAE leg with finger injury, Akash Deep named as replacement

Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Washington Sundar is set to miss the second leg of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to start from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates. Sundar was named in the 20-member squad of India for the five-match series against England, however, he was ruled out before the commencement of it, having injured his finger during a three-day warm-up fixture at Chester-le-Street.

“Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2021 due to an impending finger injury. Akash Deep, a state cricketer from Bengal and net bowler with the franchise has been named as a replacement. The movie reiterates the focus of RCB has been on grooming and nurturing young players as the team continues to develop exceptional talents and create a pathway for young talent to find their way into IPL and Indian Cricket,” a press statement by the franchise released on August 30 read.

Sundar was one of the two players – alongside Avesh Khan – who represented the County XI against India during the warm-up game, and incidentally, both of them were ruled out of the England series owing to finger injuries.

Notably, the franchise has plenty of fresh faces in it, with Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, pacer Dushmantha Chameera, Singapore all-rounder Tim David and England all-rounder George Garton being slotted in as replacement players.

The team was forced to make the inclusions after the Australian trio of Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams and Kane Richardson made themselves unavailable for the UAE leg of the tournament while they also do not have the services of the New Zealand duo of Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn who are a part of the national squad for the upcoming five-T20I away series in Bangladesh.

RCB also have a change at the helm, with Simon Katich’s stepping down as the team head coach as Mike Hesson has taken over the role.

The Virat Kohli-led side will commence their proceedings on September 20 against Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders. At the time of season suspension, RCB stood at the third position, behind Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.