It seems that India all-rounder Washington Sundar will undergo a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Feb 4, just three days before the team starts its campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026. The 26-year-old had suffered a side strain during the IND vs NZ ODI on Jan 11, and has been out of the T20I series, following it.
Washington Sundar’s Fitness Test Soon
The recovery is taking longer than expected. As per a report in the Times of India, the management is willing to wait for an official update on Washington Sundar, before they look for an alternate. It must be noted that while teams can make final changes until Jan 30, injury replacements can be made during the tournament as well.
The Indian team will have their first training session for the T20 World Cup on Feb 3, while they play their warm up match the next day vs South Africa. The replacement, at this moment looks unlikely, but if a situation arises where India needs a back up player, someone like a Riyan Parag could be picked as well, who is in the IND A squad, for the World Cup warm up matches.
T20 World Cup from Feb 7
Also, in a simulation match at the CoE on Wednesday, Tilak and Riyan both played, while Washi did not. “Washington’s injury needs to heal naturally before he gets back to the return-to-play process,” a BCCI source said.
The source also added that if the all-rounder is fit in latter stages, then the team may wait for him. “If Washington can be fit for the later stages of the WC, the team may wait for him,” the source said.
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (vc), Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh
Cricket
Washington Sundar to undergo fitness test on Feb 4, no immediate plans for replacement in T20 World Cup
