Washington Sundar’s fitness situation keeps everyone guessing right now honestly. The selectors await CoE feedback on his recovery from that nasty side strain. Just two days remain before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 starts for India properly.
The 26-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder picked up this injury last month. It happened during India’s first ODI against New Zealand on January 11. That Vadodara match at BCA Stadium turned into a nightmare for him.
Washington Sundar felt acute pain in his lower rib area while bowling. Scans revealed a side strain after he reported the discomfort immediately. Doctors advised complete rest followed by proper rehab at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Selectors Play Waiting Game
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his team are stuck waiting currently. The selectors await CoE feedback before making any final decisions here. Nobody has pushed for a replacement player yet surprisingly enough.
Washington Sundar stayed completely out of Wednesday night’s warm-up match. South Africa faced India without him in the playing 11. That absence worried fans but selectors remain patient so far.
Thursday’s update shows Washington Sundar still firmly in team management’s plans. CoE trainers and physios haven’t given up hope on his readiness. They believe he could still make it in time somehow.
Timeline Remains Unclear
How long can selectors wait before pulling the trigger on a replacement? Nobody knows that answer right now. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener happens in just a few hours against the USA.
The selectors await CoE feedback continuously without any concrete timeline set. This wait-and-see approach could backfire if Washington Sundar doesn’t recover quickly. Playing with an unfit player risks tournament disaster for defending champions.
CoE staff work around the clock on his rehab program currently. Every training session is monitored closely by medical experts there. Washington Sundar’s own determination to play drives the recovery process forward.
Harshit Rana Situation Confusing
Separately, Harshit Rana’s fitness status remains a mystery too weirdly. He bowled just one over against South Africa on Wednesday night. Sixteen runs came off that over before he walked off immediately.
BCCI hasn’t received any injury reports about the Delhi pacer yet. Sources confirm no serious concerns have been officially reported anywhere. That’s strange given how he limped off the field clearly.
