Royal
Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Washington Sundar will miss the second leg of
the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the finger injury he
sustained in England has not healed completely, the franchise confirmed
on Monday.

“Royal
Challengers Bangalore’s all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the
remainder of the Vivo IPL 2021 due to an impending finger injury,” the
franchise said in statement.

Also Read | IPL 2021: Five new players to watch out for as the season resumes

The Virat
Kohli-led franchise also confirmed Bengal cricketer Akash Deep, a net bowler at
the franchise, will replace Sundar for the rest of the season.

“This move
reiterates the focus RCB has on grooming and nurturing young players as we
continue to develop exceptional talent and create a pathway for youngsters to
find their way into IPL and Indian Cricket,” RCB said in a tweet.

Also Read | IPL 2021: RCB rope in Sri Lankan leg-spin sensation Wanindu Hasaranga

Sundar
travelled with the Indian squad to England for the ongoing five-match Test series,
but returned to India after injuring his finger while playing in a County game that
served as a practice match for the visitors.

The
21-year-old was batting when he was hit on the hand by a fierce delivery from
Mohammed Siraj, which led to an abrupt end of his tour.

Also Read | All-rounder Stuart Binny announces retirement from international cricket

PTI quoted sources
saying that Sundar appeared in a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy
(NCA) in Bengaluru recently but could not clear his fitness test. Washington is
an off-spinner with the knack of pitching in with handy runs with the willow
and the situation surrounding his injury will be important in light of the upcoming
T20 World Cup in the UAE.

The World
T20 is slated to begin on October 17, two days after the IPL 2021 final will be
played at the Dubai International Stadium. It will be interesting to see if
Sundar is picked for the World Cup, given he will not play a single IPL game
and a number of candidates knocking on the selector’s door.