India sweat for star player’s fitness ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Just two days before the start of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the National Selection Committee seems to be prepared to wait on their off-spinner Washington Sundar’s fitness, as there is no information of any replacement from Ajit Agarkar and his team.

The selectors are waiting for the BCCI Center of Excellence to provide more details on the fitness update of the spinner, as the 26-year-old, Washington Sundar, has been recovering from the side strain that he sustained last month and was a missing member from their squad during Wednesday's warm-up contest against South Africa at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

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How long the team management and selectors will wait is not confirmed yet, but as of now they are in no rush to replace Tamil Nadu, as the final decision will depend on the advice of the trainers and the physios at the Center of Excellence that they do not want to lose hope on Sundar’s preparation for the marquee event as yet.

BCCI still not clear on Washington Sundar’s fitness ahead of T20 WC 2026

In other injury news for the Indian side, Harshit Rana has also picked up an injury during the warm-up clash as he limped off the field in South Africa in Mumbai. The KKR bowler did not look in full fitness and rhythm for his one over in which he conceded 16 runs.

“Washington Sundar underwent scans after reporting an acute onset discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 11 January. This was followed by an in-person consultation with an expert. He has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised to rest for a few days, following which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence.” The reports of Cricbuzz claimed as quoted by BCCI.

After India’s opening game, they will travel to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to face Namibia before traveling to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the marquee event against Pakistan, which game as of now has been forfeited by the opposition side.