Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticized the team management for risking an injured Washington Sundar by sending him to bat in the first ODI against New Zealand. Sundar, who sustained a side strain, batted briefly but was uncomfortable and unable to run effectively, potentially aggravating his injury. Kaif contrasted this with Shubman Gill's case, where an injured player was protected from batting. Sundar has since been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series.