Washington Sundar’s Race Against Time for T20 World Cup 2026
Washington Sundar is currently in a race against time to be fit for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, 2026. He is undergoing a critical fitness test today, February 4, 2026, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to determine his availability for the tournament after suffering a rib fracture and side strain in early January.
Recent Injury Update from CoE Bengaluru; Impact on India’s World Cup Squad; Predicted Return Date
Injury Update :
Sundar sustained a rib injury during the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11, 2026. While he resumed batting in the nets in late January and bowled a four-over spell on February 2, he remains a doubtful starter for India’s opening World Cup match against the USA on Saturday.
IPL 2026 :
He is set to play for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming season after being acquired for ₹3.2 crore. Despite trade rumours linking him to Chennai Super Kings, the Titans’ management has confirmed he is an integral part of their plans, with reports suggesting he may take on a bigger role batting at No. 4.
Recent Achievement :
He was a member of the Indian squad that won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Career Statistics (as of February 2026)
Based on his international career since 2017:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Avg | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 17 | 885 | 42.14 | 36 | 32.97 | 7/59 |
| ODI | 29 | 372 | 20.66 | 29 | 28.86 | 3/30 |
| T20I | 58 | 254 | 16.93 | 51 | 22.76 | 3/3 |
| IPL | 66 | 1,436 | 21.75 | 39 | 36.82 | 3/16 |
Key Highlights
- All-Rounder Versatility: Originally a top-order batter, he transitioned into a premier off-spinner who can extract bounce due to his 1.85m (6ft 1in) height.
- Major Milestones:
- Took a maiden 10-wicket haul in a Test match against New Zealand in October 2024.
- Scored his maiden Test century against England in 2025 during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
- Played a historic role in the 2021 Gabba Test win, scoring 62 runs and taking 4 wickets on debut.