Washington Sundar’s T20 World Cup availability depends on medical clearance: Team India is one of the strong contenders to win the 2026 T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka. They have been one of the strongest looking teams in the competition. Since the competition is set to be held in their home conditions, Suryakumar Yadav’s team will be looking to defend the title against the United States, which is on February 7. India have won 26 of their last 36 T20I bilateral series after the 2024 World Cup.
However, before the big event, India has suffered a major injury. The team’s star all-rounder Washington Sundar is not yet fit due to a rib injury which he suffered during the India vs New Zealand ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. He has been named in the Men in Blue’s 15-man squad for this marquee tournament.
Washington Sundar is not completely fit
There are only a few days left for the World Cup to begin and his fitness remains a matter of concern for the team. According to the previous report, it is believed that Sundar can give the fitness test at the BCCI Center of Excellence on 4 February 2026. The management has not announced a replacement for the all-rounder as they are awaiting the official medical report on his fitness.
As recent reports have emerged, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has made significant progress in his recovery after completing four batting sessions. On 2 February, he bowled four overs of spot bowling. Tomorrow, he is scheduled for another bowling session to see if his torn area can withstand the stress. After that it will be decided how to proceed with his rehabilitation and whether he is fit to play in the World Cup or not.
“Washington Sundar is not fully fit yet…he has a fractured rib. He has shown good progress in his rehab and has completed four batting sessions. On February 2, he bowled four overs in spot bowling. He will have another bowling session on February 4 to assess whether his fractured area can handle the load or not. After that, it will be decided how to proceed with his rehab,” journalist Abhishek Tripathi wrote on X.
World Cup Update
Washington Sundar is not fit right now…he had a fracture in his rib. Good progress in rehab and four at-bats. On February 2, he was trapped in four overs in spot bowling. They will have another optional session on February 4 to see whether their…
-Abhishek Tripathi/Abhishek Tripathi (@abishereporter) 3 February 2026
Tilak Verma returns to the team
India, who missed their key man Tilak Verma in the New Zealand series, is back and was in the India A team that played the practice match against USA yesterday evening as he scored 38 runs off 24 balls and looked in good touch. He has been a match-winner for the team in recent times in the shortest format of the game.
Who will replace Washington Sundar?
If Washington Sundar is not fit, some names can replace him, including Ravi Bishnoi, who performed well in the recently concluded series against the Kiwis. Apart from him, Shreyas Iyer, who is included in the team, can also fit in the team. India have three spinners except Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
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