Team India faced a big setback on Sunday, January 11, as all-rounder Washington Sundar suffered a rib injury during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara. Medical checks revealed that Sundar will not be able to play in the remaining two ODIs. Recently, it was also reported that the Tamil Nadu cricketer has been ruled out of the next five T20Is.

The injury raises doubts about his participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sundar is an important player, and finding a replacement for him in the 20-team tournament will not be easy. Some players on the sidelines are waiting for a chance to prove themselves. The BCCI has not made an official statement yet, but reports suggest that Sundar’s chances of playing the remaining matches are low. His setback comes at a time when the team is already facing fitness issues, as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was ruled out before the series started.

Sundar is part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, and this injury has raised concerns about his preparation for the tournament in February. If the side strain is serious, the team management may have to consider replacements. Here are three strong options to replace Washington Sundar in India’s T20 squad ahead of the World Cup:

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3. Riyan Parag

Assam cricketer Riyan Parag is a player who excites many Indian fans. He sometimes shows a laid-back approach, but his temperament and skills as an all-rounder have brought him success in domestic cricket. In the last few years, he has shown maturity and even captained Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. The Guwahati-born player made his India debut in 2024 and has played nine T20Is so far.

There is one concern, though. Parag has often faced injuries, which kept him away from international cricket during 2025. If he gets fit in time and proves his readiness to the selectors, he could make a strong comeback ahead of the T20 World Cup.

2. Sai Kishore

Sai Kishore has quietly built a reputation as a reliable left-arm orthodox spinner in Indian domestic cricket. Playing for Tamil Nadu, he is known for his accuracy, discipline, and ability to control runs in the middle overs.

In domestic cricket, Sai Kishore picked up six wickets in seven innings at an economy rate of 4.61. He also scored 87 runs in seven innings, adding useful lower-order runs. In TNPL 2025, he took 12 wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 5.44 and scored 129 runs at a strike rate of 138.71. In IPL 2025, playing for Gujarat Titans, he played 15 matches and took 19 wickets. His consistency makes him a strong option if India needs a spin-bowling replacement.

1. Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya is a spin-bowling all-rounder who can also hit big as a finisher. He has a lot of T20 experience. He played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their 2025 title-winning season and was Player of the Match in the final for his tight bowling under pressure. The Ahmedabad-born player also performed well for Baroda in the SMAT and Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring runs and taking wickets.

Krunal last played for India in 2021, but his consistent performances have kept him in consideration. The 34-year-old also brings leadership experience, making him a good like-for-like replacement for Washington Sundar.