India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup are facing some uncertainty due to injury concerns among key players, particularly in the all-rounder department. The tournament, set to take place in February across India and Sri Lanka, has seen the Indian team gearing up with a series against New Zealand and a warm-up match scheduled for February 4 in Navi Mumbai.
Tilak Varma appears on track to regain full fitness in time for the global event. The middle-order batter is expected to link up with the Indian squad when it convenes in Mumbai on February 3, just ahead of the team’s warm-up fixture. Shreyas Iyer was called in as Tilak’s replacement for three of the five T20Is in the series against New Zealand and is heading to Vizag for the fourth T20I.
That said, there remains a small possibility that Tilak could rejoin even earlier, potentially ahead of the final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram, should he receive timely clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).
The more pressing issue surrounds all-rounder Washington Sundar, whose recovery from a side strain has been slower than anticipated. Sundar is currently rated as doubtful for the T20 World Cup, with his availability hanging in the balance as the tournament approaches.
Should Sundar fail to receive the green light from the CoE, Riyan Parag has emerged as the leading candidate to step into his role in the squad. Parag, who is in the final phase of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury at the CoE, is expected to secure his Return to Play clearance shortly. He is lined up to take part in a few simulation matches over the coming days to demonstrate his readiness. He has cleared his Yo-Yo Test today at CoE.
“Riyan Parag will play a couple of simulation matches at the CoE this week,” a source confirmed. “He will receive fitness clearance if he satisfies all the criteria. He is very close to returning and has been bowling in the nets for a while now. For Sundar, it is a race against time. It is taking longer than expected for his full recovery. We will see how the next few days pan out. We are still confident of getting him fit for the World Cup.”
Parag has featured in nine T20Is and one ODI for India so far. His most recent domestic appearance came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Assam, where his batting returns were poor – 14, 5, 0, 14, 15 and 5 – and he did not bowl at all. Despite that underwhelming showing, Parag’s profile as a right-arm off-spinner who can contribute with the bat makes him a strong fit, particularly given the limited availability of genuine right-arm off-spin all-rounders at the international level, especially for a World Cup.
Sundar’s absence, even though he has not been a guaranteed starter in recent T20I line-ups, risks unsettling India’s balanced combination. The coming week will be decisive, with Parag actively positioning himself as a viable backup while the team hopes Sundar can still make the cut. In case Sundar fails to obtain fitness clearance in time, Parag could join the Indian team in Navi Mumbai on February 3.
India’s warm-up match against South Africa is scheduled for February 4 in Mumbai, offering a final opportunity to assess fitness and team balance before the main tournament begins on February 7.
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