India’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans have hit a slight snag as Washington Sundar’s fitness is still in doubt. Washington Sundar was injured during the first ODI against New Zealand on 11 January.
Washington Sundar’s fitness in doubt ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
However, the Indian all-rounder’s recovery is taking longer than expected due to a muscle injury near his ribs. Till now Sundar has not done any rigorous training or practice. The Indian cricket team management is waiting for the official medical report before taking any decision.
According to a Times of India report, Washington Sundar will undergo a fitness test at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru on February 4. The test will be conducted just three days before India’s first match against USA in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 on February 7.
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The training of the entire Indian team will begin in Mumbai on 3 February. They will also play a practice match against South Africa on 4 February. If the Tamil Nadu off-spinner passes his fitness test, he could join the Indian cricket team for the practice games for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Sundar’s T20 World Cup campaign will be decided by fitness test
If not, the team management may use backup players. However, reports suggest that the team management and selectors are ready to wait for Washington’s official medical report before making any backup plans.
Although T20 World Cup teams can make changes till January 30, if the ICC gives approval, injury replacements are also allowed during the tournament.
While the BCCI has not officially shared the details of Sundar’s injury, the Indian all-rounder has a muscle injury near the ribs on his back, so the upcoming tests will give a clear picture of his recovery.
BCCI wants Washington Sundar to recover naturally
Meanwhile, Tilak Verma and Riyan Parag played a practice match at the BCCI CoE on Wednesday, January 28. It is expected that Tilak will join the main team before the practice match. Sundar is being kept away from strenuous exercise so that his injury can heal naturally before resuming full training again.
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“Washington’s injury needs to heal naturally before he can return to the recovery process. If Washington can be fit for the latter stages of the World Cup, the team can look forward to him,” The Times of India quoted a BCCI source as saying.
India looks balanced even without Washington or vice-captain Axar Patel in the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand. Ryan Parag is ready to fill in as a similar replacement for Washington if needed. The management believes that the team can perform well even without the spin bowling all-rounder.
India’s practice and group fixtures in T20 World Cup 2026:
2 February – India A vs USA, Navi Mumbai
4 February – India vs South Africa, Navi Mumbai
6 February – India A vs Namibia, Bengaluru
7 February – India vs USA, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
12 February – India vs Namibia, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
15 February – India vs Pakistan, R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
18 February – India vs Netherlands, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad