Harsh Dubey replaces Washington Sundar for India's Lord's ODI decider
Synopsis
Washington Sundar's hamstring injury has handed debutant Harsh Dubey a surprise call-up for the series-deciding third ODI at Lord's — one of cricket's most iconic venues. With the series level and Sundar needing weeks of recovery, Dubey's left-arm spin and lower-order batting could prove pivotal on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
Harsh Dubey has been added to India's squad for the third ODI against England at Lord's on 20 July .
Washington Sundar was ruled out with a right hamstring injury sustained during the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff .
Sundar will undergo scans and a specialist opinion; recovery is expected to take a couple of weeks.
Dubey took 3 for 47 on his ODI debut against Afghanistan in Dharamshala in June.
After Lord's, Dubey will join India's squad for a three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe starting 23 July in Harare .
Left-arm spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been called up to India's squad for the third and final ODI against England, to be played at Lord's on Sunday, 20 July, replacing the injured Washington Sundar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Saturday, 18 July. Sundar was ruled out after sustaining a right hamstring injury in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff — a match England won to level the series.
Sundar's Injury and Prognosis
The BCCI stated that Washington Sundar 'sustained a right hamstring injury during the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, and has been ruled out of the remainder of the series.' The board added that he 'will undergo scans and seek a specialist opinion for further management of his injury,' with reports indicating he needs a couple of weeks for rest and recovery.
Who Is Harsh Dubey
Harsh Dubey made his ODI debut for India against Afghanistan at Dharamshala in June, picking up 3 wickets for 47 runs. He was most recently in action during India A's 1-0 red-ball series victory in Sri Lanka, where he claimed 4 wickets and contributed scores of 30 and 29 with the bat. His inclusion bolsters India's spin department alongside all-rounder Axar Patel and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
What Happens After Lord's
Upon the conclusion of Sunday's series decider, Dubey will travel to Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series beginning 23 July in Harare, with further games scheduled on 25 and 26 July at the Harare Sports Club. This back-to-back scheduling underlines the BCCI's intent to give emerging players competitive exposure across formats and conditions.
India's Updated Squad for the Third ODI
India's revised 15-member squad reads: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, and Harsh Dubey. With the series level and the decider at the home of cricket, the stakes could not be higher for both sides.
Point of View
Barely weeks after his debut, signals the selectors' confidence in him, but a series-levelling match at one of cricket's most demanding venues is a steep ask. The broader pattern here is India's increasingly aggressive use of A-team pipelines to road-test fringe players, with Zimbabwe immediately after Lord's doubling as both competitive exposure and an audition for the next selection cycle.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Washington Sundar ruled out of the third ODI against England?
Washington Sundar sustained a right hamstring injury during the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, and has been ruled out of the remainder of the series. He will undergo scans and seek a specialist opinion, with reports indicating he needs a couple of weeks for rest and recovery.
Who is Harsh Dubey and what are his credentials?
Harsh Dubey is a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder who made his ODI debut for India against Afghanistan at Dharamshala in June, claiming 3 wickets for 47 runs. He also featured in India A's 1-0 red-ball series win in Sri Lanka, picking up 4 wickets and scoring 30 and 29.
When and where is the third India vs England ODI being played?
The third and series-deciding ODI is scheduled for Sunday, 20 July, at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
What is Harsh Dubey's schedule after the Lord's ODI?
After the Lord's match, Dubey will travel to Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series beginning 23 July in Harare, with further games on 25 and 26 July at the Harare Sports Club.
What does India's updated squad for the third ODI look like?
India's 15-member squad is: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, and Harsh Dubey.
