The Indian team has faced a setback due to an injury to its spin all-rounder ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8. As a result, the question of will Washington Sundar play T20 World Cup has picked up among the cricket fraternity and the fans. During the first ODI game against New Zealand in Vadodara, Sundar suffered a side strain, which ruled him out of the remaining games. Then, Ayush Badoni was announced as the replacement for Washington Sundar.
🚨SETBACK🚨
Washington Sundar’s participation in the #T20WorldCup next month is in doubt.
The allrounder will miss the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand after sustaining an injury during the 1st ODI. pic.twitter.com/s30W9fnuoW
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 15, 2026
Sundar’s injury is more serious than expected, resulting in his exclusion from the T20I series against New Zealand. Now, the team management is looking for probable backups in case he misses the cut for the India squad for T20 World Cup.
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Washington Sundar’s Current Physical Condition
Washington Sundar felt discomfort in his lower left rib area while bowling during the first ODI fixture between India and New Zealand. He bowled five overs and conceded 27 runs, without taking a wicket. He then walked off the field midway and didn’t return to the field. Due to his injury, Harshit Rana was promoted to No. 7 and played a good hand in helping the Men in Blue get close to the target with his 29-run knock. Sundar came in at No. 8 and looked in pain while running between the wickets. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 7, as India sealed a 301-run chase.
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Sundar underwent scans after the game and was declared unfit by the medical team and was released from the squad. Then, Ayush Badoni was added to the squad for the remaining two ODIs. According to the Times of India, the BCCI medical team will assess Washington Sundar for another week before taking a final decision. But, they have also advised the team management to have their ‘Plan B’ ready, if the all-rounder doesn’t recover in time.
Will Washington Sundar play T20 World Cup is a major point of debate, as the spinner has lately improved his batting strike rate and is a proven contributor with the ball. He could be crucial to India’s hopes of defending the T20 World Cup crown in spin-conducive surfaces across India and Sri Lanka.
3 Players Who Can Replace Washington Sundar in the India Squad for T20 World Cup
The Indian team has faced multiple injury concerns for a few players. First, Rishabh Pant (not a part of the World Cup squad) suffered a side strain, and then Tilak Varma was unavailable for the first three T20Is against New Zealand after undergoing emergency surgery due to severe pain in his groin.
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Now, the selectors and the team management have another headache to name a replacement for Washington Sundar for the T20I series. However, the presence of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube will keep the team upbeat about their ability to prevail over the Black Caps. The Indian team will still need a potential candidate, preferably a spinner to suit home conditions, who could get proper game time to prepare themselves. Here are the three players who could find a place in the India squad for T20 World Cup.
Riyan Parag
Riyan is an automatic choice for the selectors due to his proficiency in all three departments. He can be accommodated in the middle order in case of collapse or provide a strong flourish in the slog overs. Meanwhile, he is a useful spin option and is an agile fielder. After scoring 573 runs in IPL 2024, Parag received his maiden national call-up. In nine T20Is, he has garnered 106 runs at a strike rate of 151.42 and also secured four wickets.
However, Riyan Parag is awaiting clearance from BCCI’s Centre of Excellence after recovering from a shoulder injury. According to reports, he has resumed bowling and batting and is throwing at full intensity. If fit, he can be a suitable replacement for Washington Sundar.
Ayush Badoni
Ayush is currently part of the Indian ODI team for the New Zealand series, as he came in place of Sundar. He is expected to be part of the T20I setup as well, but Parag’s recovery can have a significant impact on his candidature. Badoni scored two fifties for India A against South Africa A and Australia A, resulting in him getting picked for the ODI series.
Related Article：New Blood Alert – Ayush Badoni Gets First Call-Up as Replacement for Washington Sundar
Shahbaz Ahmed
The bowling all-rounder, Shahbaz Ahmed, replaced Axar Patel during the final two T20Is against South Africa in December 2025. In five appearances for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, he garnered 60 runs and picked four wickets. Meanwhile, Ahmed had been in stellar form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, slamming 390 runs and picking six wickets in seven games. He has also been impressive with his performances, but the question of will Washington Sundar play T20 World Cup will be better answered by the selectors.
