The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday announced that all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, starting September 19 in the UAE.
The franchise said that Sundar had picked a finger injury in England and named Bengal cricketer Akash Deep as the replacement for the all-rounder.
“Royal Challengers Bangalore’s all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the Vivo IPL 2021 due to a finger injury. Akash Deep, a state cricketer from Bengal and net bowler with the franchise has been named as replacement,” the statement read.
Akash Deep, 24, made his T20 debut in March 2019.
“The move reiterates the focus RCB has on grooming and nurturing young players as the team continues to develop exceptional talents and create a pathway for young talents to find their way into IPL and Indian Cricket,” the statement added.
Akash has scalped 21 wickets in the shortest format of the game.
Notably, Sundar had featured in 42 IPL matches, picking up 27 wickets at a decent economy rate of a little over 6. He kicked-off his IPL career with Rising Pune Supergiant before being acquired by RCB in IPL 2018 auctions.
Later in the 2021 auctions, RCB once again fetched Sundar for Rs 3.2 crore.
The Virat Kohli-led RCB will resume their campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on September 20.
Raelier, various franchises have signed replacements for players, who will miss out the second leg of the IPL due to international commitments or injuries.
Apart from RCB, Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)have announced replacements in their respective squads recently.
While the Virat kohli-led RCB have signed Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga as replacement for Australia’s Adam Zampa. Hasaranga had bagged a total of seven wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the final T20I, in the recently held T20I series against India.
RCB also roped in Dushmantha Chameera for Daniel Sams, left-arm quick George Garton for Kane Richardson and Tim David for New Zealand’s Finn Allen.
Meanwhile, RR have acquired Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips as a replacement for England’s Jofra Archer while South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi has been signed to replace Andrew Tye.
Malan’s side PBKS have roped in Aussie pacer Nathan Ellis for Riley Meredith and England leg-spinner Adil Rashid for Jhye Richardson.
On the other hand, KKR have snapped New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who will replace Australia’s Pat Cummins.