Riyan Parag is likely to make a comeback for India in the national team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, as the BCCI has asked the Indian management to consider backup options for Washington Sundar.
Riyan Parag was also involved in some of the first projects that Gautam Gambhir started after being appointed the head coach of the Indian team. Parag got a place in the ODI and T20I squads for India in the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in 2024.
However, Riyan Parag’s most recent T20I appearance came back in October 2024 during a series against Bangladesh; However, a shoulder injury kept him out of contention. Parag underwent surgery and has since been rehabilitating at the BCCI Center of Excellence.
Riyan Parag’s recovery on track ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Riyan Parag spent the latter half of the 2025–26 season dealing with an injury to his right shoulder. The injury once again flared up during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, forcing him to miss the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Parag played his last competitive match on 6 December against Odisha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During Parag’s participation in the domestic matches, his performance was very poor as he scored 5, 15, 14, 0, 5 and 14 in those games.
As per TOI report, Riyan Parag has since been at the BCCI Center of Excellence, where he is regaining full fitness. The all-rounder has been in the facility for the last three weeks and is waiting for the green signal from the Indian selectors.
“He has started batting and bowling in the nets this week. He is not feeling any pain and is close to regaining full fitness,” a source following the developments told TimesofIndia.com.
Riyan Parag remains an equal option for both Tilak Verma and Washington Sundar
The Indian management has been instructed to have its Plan B ready for replacement of players as Washington Sundar and Tilak Verma are on the verge of losing the chance to play their first World Cup.
Sundar has been ruled out of the first ODI in Vadodara due to a side strain, while Tilak Verma had surgery earlier this month, and hence has been ruled out till the third T20I against New Zealand.
Parag is like a lifetime replacement for both Tilak Verma and Washington Sundar, who is awaiting clearance from the CoE after his rehabilitation from his shoulder injury. He is expected to resume bowling with full intensity and is expected to be cleared by next week.
Will Parag replace Sundar for the T20I leg of the New Zealand series?
The ICC allows all teams to make changes to their World Cup squads until January 31, which is just a week before the start of the World Cup. The Indian management will keep a close eye on Parag’s progress.
Washington Sundar was replaced by Ayush Badoni in the Indian ODI squad ahead of the second match in Rajkot. However, it seems likely that Badoni will replace Sundar in the five T20I matches as well, or will the selectors announce Riyan Parag as his replacement?
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