India, Jan. 11 -- India's chase in the first ODI against New Zealand had a late complication that wasn't immediately obvious from the scoreboard. Washington Sundar, battling a back issue picked up while bowling, was unable to run freely when he came out to bat. KL Rahul revealed it only after the game, explaining why India's finish required far more control than the numbers might suggest.

Sundar's problem began during New Zealand's innings, when he left the field after completing his fifth over. Although he returned later to bat, his movement was visibly restricted - something Rahul said he only fully realised once the two were in the middle together.

"I didn't know Washi couldn't run."

That single line reframes the end of India's chas...