India all-rounder Washington Sundar is facing a race against time to recover from a side strain, with his rehabilitation likely to take another two weeks, putting his availability for the T20 World Cup 2026 in serious doubt. He picked up the injury during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara and was subsequently ruled out of the rest of the ODI series, as well as the T20I leg. M
Sundar had to leave the field after bowling just five overs and appeared visibly uncomfortable when he came out to bat during the closing moments of a tense run chase. As per a report in The Indian Express, the team management and selection committee are expected to take a decision soon regarding a possible last-minute replacement.
“He needs two more weeks to be completely fit. The medical team has advised him to rest for two weeks more. The senior selection committee and team management will have to take a call on whether to continue with him or have a replacement,” a BCCI source said.
Team India brought in Ravi Bishnoi as Washington Sundar’s replacement for the T20I series. The wrist-spinner seized the opportunity, producing a match-winning spell of 2 for 18 in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, marking an impressive return after an 11-month absence.
Washington Sundar played six T20Is for India in 2025
The all-rounder served as an important backup option in India’s T20I setup, providing balance and depth, and featured in six matches in 2025. He scored 93 runs at 31 with a strike rate of 145.31 and took four wickets at an average of 14.25. Team India are currently grappling with an injury crunch ahead of the World Cup, with Tilak Varma and Axar Patel joining Washington Sundar on the sidelines.
Reports suggest Tilak Varma is edging closer to a comeback ahead of the decisive phase of the T20I series against New Zealand, while there has been no official update on the extent of Axar Patel’s finger injury sustained in the series opener.
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