Washington Sundar (Source:X)In a significant development, Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar is set to undergo a crucial fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). The fitness test will take place in Bengaluru on February 4, just three days before India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, which begins on February 7.The test will play a major role in deciding whether Sundar can be available for the marquee tournament, as he continues to recover from a side strain sustained earlier this month.When did Washington Sundar face an injury?Washington Sundar suffered the injury during the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11 in Vadodara. While bowling, he felt sharp pain in his lower left rib area and was forced to walk off the field immediately.Medical scans later confirmed a side strain, which was initially believed to be minor. However, further assessments revealed that the injury was more serious and would require a longer recovery period.Despite being in visible discomfort, Sundar showed strong determination by returning to bat later in the match. However, the injury ruled him out of the remaining ODIs and the entire five-match T20I series against New Zealand.The BCCI later confirmed that Sundar experienced acute discomfort in his left lower rib while bowling. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE in Bengaluru."Washington Sundar underwent scans after reporting an acute onset of discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 11 January. This was followed by an in-person consultation with an expert. He has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised rest for a few days, following which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) for further management of his injury," the BCCI stated.BCCI to assess Washington Sundar’s fitnessAccording to recent reports from The Times of India, the injury involves a tear of a back muscle near the ribs, which must heal naturally before he can resume full training.The reports also stated that Sundar has not started any rigorous drills. He also did not take part in a recent simulation match at the CoE. A BCCI source stated that Sundar will only begin the return-to-play process once the injury has fully healed and will likely take part in the fitness test on February 4."Washington's injury needs to heal naturally before he comes back to the return-to-play process," a BCCI source told TOI.The selectors and team management are willing to wait for Washington Sundar's medical update before making any backup plans. It is important to note that the teams can make any changes till January 31, 2026, for the T20 World Cup 2026.As one BCCI source put it, “If Washington can be fit for the later stages of the World Cup, the team may wait for him.”Earlier reports from the Indian Express stated that Sundar may need at least two more weeks to fully recover. The BCCI medical team has advised him to rest further, leaving the final call to the selection committee and team management.Tilak Varma to join India's squadThe Indian team is scheduled to assemble in Mumbai on February 3 for its first training session, before playing a warm-up match against South Africa on February 4. It is important to mention that Tilak Varma is expected to join the squad ahead of the warm-up game.Notably, Tilak Varma also sustained an injury before the IND vs NZ series and had to be ruled out of the currently ongoing fixtures. He sustained a Testicular Torsion while playing his last game for Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.India's injury concerns have suddenly spiked before the T20 World Cup and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir can be in a for a topsy-turvy ride if his ace stars do not recover in time for the ICC T20 World Cup.
