BCCI identifies Washington Sundar’s replacement for T20 World Cup 2026 - Reports

Washington Sundar is recovering from a rib injury he sustained in the IND vs NZ 1st ODI.

The Indian Cricket Team revealed their squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 last month, and Washington Sundar was one of the all-rounders who feature in the side. However, he faced a injury setback, and is now racing against time to recover ahead of the multi-national tournament, which will commence on February 7.

Sundar suffered pain in his lower rib area while bowling in the first ODI between India and New Zealand on January 11 (Sunday) at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. He could only bowl five overs in the match and left the field midway. He did not return to bowl but came out to bat in the second innings, where he struggled to run.

Due to the rib injury, Sundar was ruled out of the ODI and the T20I series against the Black Caps. Moreover, he is also doubtful to recover in time for the T20 World Cup 2026. In his absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy was added to the ODI XI and Ravi Bishnoi to T20I team.

BCCI preparing Riyan Parag as Washington Sundar’s back-up in T20 World Cup 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has identified all-rounder Riyan Parag as Sundar’s replacement if the latter does not recover in time ahead of the World Cup. According to reports in The Week, BCCI has asked the Centre of Excellence (CoE) to keep Parag fit ahead of the tournament.

Notably, Parag is coming off a shoulder injury but has been undergoing recovery at a steady rate. He recently pasted the Yo-Yo test and has been told to report to Mumbai on February 2. India reportedely are scheduled to play a warm-up match on February 4 against either South Africa or India A.

Although Bishnoi replaced Sundar in the T20I series against New Zealand, the BCCI is looking for a like-for-like replacement for Sundar for the ICC tournament.

Parag, a batting all-rounder, has played nine T20Is and one ODI for India so far. He impressed with his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 for Rajasthan Royals (RR), smacking six consecutive sixes in a clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Meanwhile, India are placed in Group A in ICC T20 World Cup. The Suryakumar Yadav & Co. will face USA in their opening game on February 7 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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