The clock is ticking, and for Washington Sundar, it’s sounding more like a death knell for his Washington Sundar T20 World Cup 2026 dreams than a hopeful chime. The Indian all-rounder has officially started batting again at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a significant step in his rehabilitation from a persistent rib injury. But here’s the brutal truth: starting to bat in a controlled environment is light-years away from being match-fit for a high-stakes global tournament.
Table of Contents
- The Current State of Washington Sundar’s Recovery
- Why India’s “Waiting Game” is a High-Stakes Bet
- Inside the BCCI Centre of Excellence: The Road to Recovery
- Who Are the Top Contenders to Replace Washington Sundar?
- Conclusion: Is it Time for India to Move On?
- Sources
The Current State of Washington Sundar’s Recovery
Sundar’s journey back from his rib injury, described as a mild fracture causing significant discomfort, has been cautious to say the least [[8]]. While resuming batting is a positive sign, reports consistently indicate that tenderness in the area remains a major hurdle [[8]]. He’s reportedly still two weeks away from being declared fully fit—a timeline that leaves almost no room for error or a proper build-up before the T20 World Cup kicks off [[9]].
The problem isn’t just the injury itself; it’s the specific skill set Sundar offers. His left-arm orthodox spin is a crucial balancing act in India’s bowling attack, providing a reliable, economical option in the powerplay and middle overs. His lower-order batting adds valuable depth. Finding a like-for-like replacement is notoriously difficult, which is why the team management has been reluctant to make a final call.
Why India’s “Waiting Game” is a High-Stakes Bet
Opting for a “waiting game” sounds prudent on paper—it shows faith in a proven performer. However, in the high-pressure world of international cricket, especially with a tournament as significant as the T20 World Cup, this strategy carries immense risk.
Here’s why:
- No Match Practice: Even if Sundar is declared fit a week before the tournament, he will have zero competitive match practice. Throwing a player into a World Cup without any warm-up games is a recipe for disaster.
- Squad Chemistry: The final squad needs time to gel, to understand each other’s roles and build combinations. A last-minute inclusion disrupts this delicate process.
- The Backup Needs Prep Too: The player who eventually replaces him (if it comes to that) also needs time to prepare mentally and physically. Delaying the decision only shortchanges their preparation.
Inside the BCCI Centre of Excellence: The Road to Recovery
The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, inaugurated in late 2024, is India’s answer to the world’s best sports rehabilitation facilities [[30]]. It’s a 40-acre state-of-the-art complex equipped with advanced physiotherapy gyms, sports science labs, and specialized training tracks [[23]]. This is where India’s injured stars, from Rishabh Pant to Shubman Gill, have undergone their comebacks [[21], [27]].
For Sundar, the CoE provides the perfect controlled environment to rebuild his strength and confidence. However, a facility, no matter how advanced, cannot accelerate the body’s natural healing process beyond its limits. The CoE can optimize his recovery, but it can’t guarantee a miracle.
Who Are the Top Contenders to Replace Washington Sundar?
With Sundar’s participation looking increasingly doubtful, the spotlight has firmly shifted to his potential replacements. The BCCI is already evaluating its options, and a few names are consistently at the top of the list [[11], [14]].
Riyan Parag: The Leading Candidate
The young Rajasthan Royals star seems to be the frontrunner. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball—off-spin, to be precise—makes him the closest stylistic fit for Sundar’s role [[12]]. Despite some modest returns in recent series, his potential and recent performances in domestic cricket have kept him in strong contention [[14]].
Ayush Badoni & Krunal Pandya: The Experienced Alternatives
Ayush Badoni has already been handed an ODI cap, signaling the management’s trust in his abilities as a batting all-rounder with handy part-time off-spin [[13]]. His fearless stroke play could be a valuable asset in a T20 setting.
On the other hand, Krunal Pandya brings a wealth of experience. His left-arm spin and hard-hitting capabilities offer a different, but equally potent, dimension to the side [[11]]. His recent form will be the key factor in his selection.
Other names in the mix include Nitish Kumar Reddy and Vipraj Nigam, but they appear to be further down the pecking order [[15]].
Conclusion: Is it Time for India to Move On?
While we all hope to see Washington Sundar don the blue jersey in the Washington Sundar T20 World Cup 2026, the pragmatic view suggests his chances are fading fast. The combination of a slow-healing rib injury and the lack of a realistic timeline for match fitness makes his selection a massive gamble.
For the sake of the team’s overall preparation and success, the selectors might need to make a tough but necessary call soon. Banking on a miracle recovery is a luxury Team India simply cannot afford. The focus must now shift to integrating a deserving replacement who can hit the ground running from day one of the tournament. The waiting game is over; it’s time for decisive action. For more insights on India’s T20 strategy, check out our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-world-cup-2026-india-squad-analysis].
Sources
- Times of India: T20 World Cup 2026: Washington Sundar starts batting at BCCI CoE
- Republic World: ‘He Needs Two More Weeks’: Washington Sundar Fighting to Recover
- Wisden: Six options to replace Washington Sundar if he is ruled out
- The Hindu Sportstar: Laxman ‘proud’ of his team at NCA, lauds BCCI for handling comebacks