While Team India continue to hammer New Zealand in the ongoing T20I series, there are still doubts about a certain plan Washington Sundar will need at least two more weeks to fully recover from his rib injury, which has made India’s plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup harder to predict.
The latest update, confirmed by The Indian Express, has tightened the window for Sundar to be match-ready before India’s tournament opener against the USA in Mumbai on February 7.
Sundar suffered the injury during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, when he reported acute discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling. He managed to complete only five overs before leaving the field, though he later returned to bat and chipped in with a crucial 7 off 7 balls during a middle-order collapse. That knock, however, has come at a cost. The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the ODI series and the ongoing five-match T20I series.
According to a BCCI source, the medical team has advised an extended rest period. “He needs two more weeks to be completely fit. The senior selection committee and team management will have to take a call on whether to continue with him or have a replacement,” the source said.
The Washington Sundar dilemma
Washington Sundar’s injury has forced the selectors into a dilemma. Sundar offers a great flexibility with powerplay overs, control against left-handers and depth with the bat. But he is not a guaranteed starter in India’s strongest XI. With India’s spin plans already centred around Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, the team could choose to carry Sundar in the hope he becomes available later in the tournament.
However, there is a strong possibility that he may miss warm-up matches as well. Ravi Bishnoi has been kept on standby. To his credit, Bishnoi had a superb outing in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, where he took the wickets of Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman in his frugal spell of 2/18.
Both Bishnoi and Sundar are yet to be part of India’s squad for a T20 World Cup campaign. Sundar has been named for the 2026 edition but he is facing a race against time to get fit.
Amid the concern around Sundar, there is better news on Tilak Varma. The left-hander, who underwent abdominal surgery during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is progressing well at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. While Tilak is expected to be fit for India’s fifth T20I against New Zealand on January 31, the team management is prioritising his full recovery over a rushed return.
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