Washington Sundar’s T20 World Cup availability hinges on medical clearance: Team India is one of the favourites to win the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka. They have been one of the strongest-looking sides in the competition. As the competition is set to happen at their home conditions, Suryakumar Yadav’s side will look for the title defence against the USA, which is on 7th February. India has won 26 out of their last 36 T20I bilateral series post the 2024 World Cup.
However, ahead of the major event, India has been struck with a major injury scar. As the team’s star all-rounder, Washington Sundar has not been fit yet with the rib injury that he sustained during the India vs New Zealand ODI at Vadodara’s BCA Stadium. He has been named in the 15-man squad for the Men in Blue for the marquee tournament.
Washington Sundar is not fully fit
With a few days left for the World Cup to start, his fitness remains a concern for the side. As per the previous report, it is believed that Sundar could undergo a fitness test on February 4, 2026, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The management has not announced a replacement for the all-rounder, as they wait for the official medical reports of his fitness.
As recent reports arise, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has made significant progress in recovery, completing four batting sessions. On February 2, he bowled four overs of spot bowling. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to have another bowling session to see if his broken area can withstand the strain. After that, it will be determined how to proceed with his rehabilitation and whether he is fit to play in the World Cup.
“Washington Sundar is not yet fully fit…he had a fracture in his rib. He has shown good progress in rehab and has completed four batting sessions. On February two, he bowled four overs in spot bowling. On February four, he will have another bowling session to assess whether his fractured area can handle the load. After that, it will be decided how to proceed with his rehab,” journalist Abhishek Tripathi wrote on X.
🔥 विश्व कप अपडेट 🔥
वाशिंगटन सुंदर अभी फिट नहीं हैं…उनकी रिब में फ्रैक्चर हुआ था। रीहैब में अच्छी प्रोग्रेस हुई है और चार बैटिंग सेशन किए हैं। दो फरवरी को उन्होंने स्पॉट बोलिंग में चार ओवर फेंके हैं। चार फरवरी को उनका एक और गेंदबाजी सेशन होगा जिसमें ये देखा जाएगा कि उनका…
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) February 3, 2026
Tilak Varma back in the side
India who missed out on their crucial man Tilak Varma in the New Zealand series, is back and was in the India A squad that played the warm-up match against the USA last evening, as he scored 38 runs off 24 balls and looked in fine touch. He has been a match-winner for the side in recent times in the shortest format of the game.
Who will replace Washington Sundar?
In case Washington Sundar does not get fit, some names can replace him, with Ravi Bishnoi, who performed well in the recently concluded series against the Kiwis. Apart from him, Shreyas Iyer, who was in the squad, can also fit in the squad. India has three spinners, except Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
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