T20 World Cup: Washington Sundar resumes batting practice amid injury
What's the story
Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar has resumed batting practice as part of his rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The session, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was a positive step forward in his recovery process, as per The Times of India. However, it is worth noting that discomfort around the rib area still continues to persist.
Recovery process
Sundar's injury details and rehabilitation journey
Sundar has been out of competitive cricket due to rib discomfort. The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a mild fracture in addition to the side strain. Before his rehabilitation at CoE, he consulted Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who initially diagnosed an internal oblique muscle tear but later confirmed a mild fracture after follow-up examinations.
Future prospects
Sundar's participation in T20 World Cup 2026 uncertain
Given the current state of his recovery, it seems highly unlikely that Sundar will be fit to play from the first game of the T20 World Cup against the USA on February 7. However, Team India is likely to take a cautious approach toward his return. A detailed assessment could be conducted in early February to determine his readiness according to Return To Play (RTP) protocols.
Injury report
Sundar's injury diagnosis and recovery plan
The Indian cricket board had released a statement on Sundar's injury before the New Zealand T20Is, when Ravi Bishnoi was recalled. The statement detailed that Sundar had reported sudden discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11. He was diagnosed with a side strain and advised rest for a few days before reporting to CoE for further management of his injury.
Parag
Will Riyan Parag replace Sundar in India's T20 WC squad?
Recently, the BCCI asked its Bengaluru-based Centre of Excellence (CoE) to keep Riyan Parag match-ready, as per The Times of India. With no official warm-up matches scheduled by the ICC, the Indian team is considering a practice game on February 4. This could be against South Africa or an intra-squad fixture against India 'A.' In this context, Parag, who is a middle-order batter and a leg-spinner, has been identified as a replacement and asked to stay ready if needed.