Washington Sundar Set for Fitness Test Ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Opener

India all-rounder Washington Sundar is likely to take a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on February 4. This will happen just three days before India begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. 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. 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.

Washington Sundar to undergo fitness test ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 opener

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.

Right now, a replacement seems unlikely. However, if India do need a backup player, someone like Riyan Parag could be selected. He is part of the India A squad playing the World Cup warm-up matches. 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.

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh

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by Dwijesh January 29, 2026