Washington Sundar OUT of T20 World Cup? Suryakumar Yadav announces final verdict days before tournament
Published - 05 Feb 2026, 04:04 PM | Updated - 05 Feb 2026, 11:35 PM
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Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that the star all-rounder Washington Sundar is still not fully ready, and this has raised questions about whether he will be fit in time for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7.
Washington Sundar’s T20 World Cup 2026 spot in doubt as Suryakumar Yadav shares big update
However, Suryakumar Yadav has made it clear that the Indian cricket team really wants Washington Sundar in the squad for the showpiece event. He shared that Sundar is very close to returning, but they want to give him enough time so he comes back fully fit.
The skipper feels the off-spinner is an important player because he can give balance to the team and help control the game in the middle overs, and that’s why the Indian team management is being patient with the all-rounder instead of taking any risk.
We will be with him: Suryakumar Yadav on Sundar
The team is in regular touch with Sundar and is watching his recovery closely. He is improving day by day and getting closer to being match-ready, with the final decision expected soon.
Suryakumar Yadav said at the ICC T20 World Cup Captain's Press Conference: “You have to be patient with good players, and we will be with him, 100%. We spoke to him, and he is getting close to achieving full fitness.”
Suryakumar Yadav reveals Tilak Varma plan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The Indian captain also revealed that Tilak Varma was given a break during the recent T20I series against New Zealand to keep him fresh for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The young sensation has fully recovered from a recent abdominal injury and made a brilliant comeback.
The stylish batter played a quickfire knock of 45 off 19 balls during India’s 30-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup warm-up match in Navi Mumbai on January 4, leaving the captain stunned with his batting form despite coming from rehabilitation at the BCCI's CoE.
Suryakumar mentioned, “Tilak Varma got a break; he didn’t play the NZ series. He looked a different player when he came back.”
Suryakumar shrugs off Dew talk as India aims for World Cup glory
Meanwhile, the India captain has played down the importance of the dew factor ahead of the tournament. He feels dew is something no team can control, so the focus should stay on things that are in the players’ hands, and India is well prepared to handle any situation.
Suryakumar told reporters, “Dew is not controllable. We will control what we can control. We are doing well batting 1st and chasing. We will take a call on the big matches. We have played a lot of matches when there is dew. We should look to ignore that factor.”
Since India are the defending champions and the huge expectations are there from the co-hosts, the skipper admitted to the “pressure,” but he was relieved to return to his form ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, where they will kick off their campaign against the USA on February 7.
The India squad for the title defense features Suryakumar, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah. Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Sundar, and Rinku Singh are also part of the squad.
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Suryakumar Yadav Washington Sundar India National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup Tilak VarmaAbout the Author
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