After Washington Sundar’s side strain emerged as a very challenging injury, the all-rounder has been ruled out of the entire New Zealand T20I series, and his participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is also in serious doubt. Gautam Gambhir will have to consider players who can replace him for this marquee tournament.
The national selection committee is once again sweating over the possible exclusion of Washington Sundar from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He was ruled out of the remainder of the series against New Zealand after suffering a side strain while bowling in Vadodara.
Since the New Zealand T20I series will end with less than a week left for the ICC T20 World Cup, the Indian team management will have to have its backup plans ready for the early stages of the tournament.
Washington Sundar doubtful to play in T20 World Cup 2026
TOI has reported that, from the Indian management side, it has been reported that they are already preparing backup options to replace Sundar for the tournament.
However, they have not announced anything yet, as the team management has been asked to wait for another week by the BCCI medical team. This time will be needed to further evaluate and determine an appropriate timeline for Sundar’s recovery.
Washington Sundar is scheduled to report to the COE later this week, where the medical team will monitor him closely, especially with a thorough assessment of the area around the ribs. Teams are allowed to make changes up to seven days before the start of the tournament and any changes after that will be made only after obtaining permission from the ICC.
After Washington Sundar’s injury, BCCI has asked Gautam Gambhir to prepare Plan B.
India have always been keen to play most of their T20I matches under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, with the team having a number of all-rounders who can make an impact in some way or the other. Since the games will be played on home soil, India will also look to pick a spin-heavy team.
Therefore, it is understood that Gautam Gambhir and the Indian management have been asked to think of a Plan B in case Washington Sundar’s recovery period extends into the latter stages of the ICC T20 World Cup. India are already troubled by the injury to Tilak Verma, who underwent surgery last week and the team management is in a dilemma regarding his return to the field.
“For now, the selectors and the team management will have to think of a backup plan. There is a strong possibility that Washington may not be fully fit for the initial stages of the World Cup. His participation in the entire tournament can be discussed after a thorough report from the medical team,” a BCCI source told TOI.
7 Washington Sundar replacement options for T20 World Cup 2026
7. Riyan Parag
Keeping in mind Gambhir’s favor for similar replacements and all-rounders, all-rounder Riyan Parag from the Rajasthan Royals camp has rolled up his sleeves and is awaiting clearance from the COE after recovering from his shoulder injury. He can be the replacement for Washington Sundar.
6. Shahbaz Ahmed
Bengal’s left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, who performed very well in the white-ball tournament for the state team, was also considered as a replacement for a key player like Axar Patel during the T20Is against South Africa in December 2025.
5. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Since this is Gautam Gambhir’s team, his decisions and the players he considers better are likely to directly benefit him. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been a constant for the Indian team, while he has also made better records for India in T20Is with bat and ball. Reddy thought that a seam bowling all-rounder could be an effective power hitter lower down the order.
4. Ramandeep Singh
Although the KKR all-rounder does not have much of an impact with the ball, he is still an explosive batsman lower down the order and can serve as the second fast bowler in the team; However, with the presence of Shivam Dubey, this is the least likely selection to replace Washington Sundar.
3. Krunal Pandya
Hardik Pandya’s brother and Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya, who is out of the team, has not played for India for a long time. However, the all-rounder has performed consistently well for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was a key part of RCB’s victorious campaign in IPL 2025. Pandya is an equally effective batsman and can be useful with the ball at times in the powerplay as well.
2. Ayush Badoni
The Delhi captain has already been named in the Indian team, but is yet to make his international debut. He was called as a replacement for Washington Sundar in the ODI series against New Zealand.
Badoni is a very good batsman in the middle order, and his inclusion could also be a possible backup for Tilak Verma, who is also recovering from surgery. Furthermore, he is an off-spinner and has provided successes for Delhi at crucial junctures.
1. Harpreet Brar
Finally, a name that people might not have thought could replace Washington Sundar. But if India are really looking for the best option as a spinner who can act as a replacement, it would be Harpreet Brar. He has also proved his abilities in the IPL for Punjab Kings, where he has bowled with the new ball and also in the death overs.
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