Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar Injury News – T20 World Cup 2026

The wait is almost unbearable now. Just seven days to go before India kicks off their T20 World Cup 2026 title defense, and we're stuck in this nerve-wracking situation with two crucial players on the injury list. Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, both integral parts of Suryakumar Yadav's squad, have been racing against time to regain full fitness. The big question that's keeping every Indian cricket fan awake at night is simple yet terrifying will they be ready for the February 7 opener against USA at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai? Let's dive deep into what's really happening with these two stars and whether Team India will have them available for the most important tournament of the year.

The Current Injury Crisis What Exactly Happened

Let's start with the facts because there's been a lot of confusion and mixed reports floating around. Both Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar have been out of action during the recent home T20I series against New Zealand, and their absence has been felt big time.

Tilak Varma underwent minor surgery for testicular torsion back on January 7 in Rajkot. For those not familiar with medical terms, it's an abdominal issue that required immediate surgical attention. He was in sensational form before this setback, having scored 187 runs against South Africa in the previous T20I series and following it up with scores of 109 and 34 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The timing couldn't have been worse for the young left-hander who had cemented his place as India's number three batter.

Washington Sundar's situation is equally concerning. The all-rounder suffered acute discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on January 11. He managed to bowl only five overs before leaving the field, though he did come back to bat when India needed a few runs to win. Since then, he's been ruled out of both the remaining ODIs and the entire T20I series against the Kiwis.

Latest Recovery Updates From BCCI Centre of Excellence

Here's where things get interesting and slightly hopeful. Both players have been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and the updates coming out have been cautiously optimistic.

According to recent reports from Cricbuzz and other reliable sources, Washington Sundar is on the road to recovery and should be ready for India's first match against the USA. The all-rounder has started batting in the nets, which is an encouraging sign. A BCCI source confirmed that he's batting at very low intensity and experiencing some discomfort around the ribs initially, but that's expected given he hasn't done anything for some time. His workload in skill training will be gradually increased over the coming days.

However, there's still no official word on when Sundar will resume bowling, which is crucial because he's primarily picked as a spin-bowling all-rounder. Some reports suggest he needs two more weeks to be completely fit, which would make his participation in the opener doubtful. But the fact that the team management hasn't named a replacement yet shows they're confident about his recovery.

Tilak Varma's recovery has been even more encouraging. The young batter took to social media on January 30 to share videos of his rehabilitation progress. In one clip, he's seen confidently stepping out to a fast bowler and driving the ball straight down the ground for a boundary. That's the kind of update fans love to see because it shows he's not just going through the motions but actually looking in good touch.

The BCCI released an official statement on January 26 stating that Tilak has resumed physical training and is making steady progress with his rehabilitation. He was initially expected to join the squad on February 3 in Mumbai, missing the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand completely. Shreyas Iyer was called up as his replacement for the New Zealand series but isn't part of the World Cup squad.

Will They Be Available for the February 7 Opener

This is the million dollar question, isn't it? Based on all the information available and statements from BCCI sources, here's the realistic picture.

For Washington Sundar, the chances are better than initially feared. Reports suggest that while he might miss the warm-up match against South Africa on February 4 at the DY Patil Stadium, the selectors are hoping and expecting him to be available for the USA clash on February 7. The fact that he's already batting in the nets is a positive indicator. However, his bowling fitness remains the big question mark. Can he deliver his quota of four overs effectively? That's what the team management will need to assess over the next few days.

For Tilak Varma, the situation looks even more promising. Multiple reports confirm that he's likely to be fully fit by the time the World Cup begins. The videos he shared show him hitting boundaries and looking comfortable during net sessions. Sources close to the team suggest he should be ready to join the squad on February 3 and will most probably be available for selection for the opening match.

But here's the reality check. Both players haven't played any competitive cricket in weeks. Tilak hasn't featured in a single match in 2026, and Sundar last played on January 11. Match fitness and match sharpness are very different from net practice. The team management under Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav will need to make tough calls about whether to rush them into the playing eleven or give them more time to get match-ready.
 

Impact on India Playing Eleven and Team Balance

Let's talk about why these two players matter so much to India's World Cup campaign.

Tilak Varma has been a revelation at number three for India. His numbers speak for themselves, 1,183 runs in 40 T20I matches at an average of 49.29 with a strike rate of 144.09, including two centuries and six fifties. More impressively, at the number three position specifically, he's scored 542 runs in 15 innings at an average of 60.22 and a strike rate over 160. He gives India that perfect blend of stability and aggression. He can anchor when early wickets fall or accelerate when the situation demands. Losing him would be a massive blow to the batting lineup.

Washington Sundar brings crucial balance as the spin-bowling all-rounder. In 58 T20Is, he's picked 51 wickets at an economy of 6.91, which is gold in T20 cricket. He can bowl through the powerplay and middle overs, giving captain Suryakumar flexibility with his bowling options. Plus, he's handy with the bat lower down the order, as shown by his 254 T20I runs at a strike rate of 134.39.

If either or both miss the opener, India will need to rethink their combinations. Ishan Kishan has already slotted into the number three spot during the New Zealand series and performed reasonably well. For the all-rounder role, India has Axar Patel as vice-captain, who can definitely step up. But ideally, you want your first-choice players available from game one, especially when you're defending champions playing at home.
 

India Probable Playing XI for USA Match With and Without Them

If both Tilak and Sundar are fit, here's India's likely strongest eleven against USA:

1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
3. Tilak Varma
4. Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Rinku Singh
7. Axar Patel (vice-captain)
8. Washington Sundar
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Arshdeep Singh

If they're not available, expect this combination:

1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper)
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Suryakumar Yadav (captain)
5. Hardik Pandya
6. Rinku Singh
7. Axar Patel (vice-captain)
8. Shivam Dube
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Arshdeep Singh

The second option gives India batting depth but loses the spin-bowling all-rounder option that Sundar provides.
 

Expert Opinions and Team Management Stance

Former Indian cricketers and experts have weighed in on this situation. Most believe that if both players are anywhere close to 80 to 85 percent fit, the team management should include them given their importance to the squad balance and their recent form before the injuries.

However, there's also the cautious approach. Rushing players back from injury in a World Cup has backfired before. Remember, this is just the first match of the tournament. India plays USA, then has matches against Netherlands, Namibia, and Pakistan in the group stage. If both players need an extra game or two to be absolutely ready, maybe it's worth the wait.

Gautam Gambhir, known for his aggressive mindset, will likely push for their inclusion if medical reports are positive. But he's also pragmatic enough to not risk long-term injuries for short-term gains.

The team management's confidence is visible in the fact that they haven't called for replacements despite the injuries. The deadline for squad changes without ICC approval was January 30, and India didn't make any moves. That tells you they're backing both players to be ready.
 

What USA Will Bring to the Table

While everyone's focused on India's injury concerns, let's not forget USA shocked Pakistan in the 2024 World Cup and reached the Super Eight stage. They're not pushovers anymore. Led by Monank Patel and featuring players like Saurabh Netravalkar, Harmeet Singh, and now former Sri Lankan all-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya, USA will come with confidence and nothing to lose.

Playing at the Wankhede Stadium, where the pitch typically favors stroke-makers and the boundaries are relatively shorter, USA's aggressive batters could cause problems if India doesn't start sharply. This isn't a game where India can afford to experiment too much or field an underprepared team.
 

Wankhede Stadium Conditions and Weather

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. The pitch here generally offers good bounce and pace early on, making it a batting paradise once you get your eye in. The boundaries are on the shorter side, especially the square boundaries, which means mishits can still go for sixes.

February in Mumbai is pleasant, with temperatures around 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. Evening games can see some dew, which makes bowling in the second innings tricky. This could actually work in India's favor if they bat first and post a big total, as their spinners might struggle less in the first innings.

For Washington Sundar specifically, the Wankhede conditions would be ideal for his style of bowling. The pitch takes some turn, and his accuracy would be valuable in the middle overs.
 

Match Prediction India vs USA

Assuming both Tilak and Sundar are available or at least one of them makes it, India should win this opener comfortably. The defending champions, playing at home with crowd support, have far too much quality for USA. Expect a total of around 180 to 190 if India bats first, which should be more than enough.

However, if both are unavailable and India fields a makeshift combination, USA might make it competitive. Don't expect an upset, but the margin of victory might be closer than expected.

Realistic Prediction: India to win by 30 to 40 runs or 4 to 5 wickets depending on who bats first.
 

Fantasy Cricket Tips for India vs USA

If you're playing fantasy cricket for this match, here's how to approach your team selection:

Must-Have Safe Captaincy Picks:

• Jasprit Bumrah (most consistent Indian bowler, always picks wickets)
• Suryakumar Yadav (captain leading from front, in prime form)
• Hardik Pandya (all-rounder value with bat and ball)

Safe Vice-Captain Choices:

• Abhishek Sharma (explosive opener on home ground)
• Saurabh Netravalkar (USA's best bowler, can trouble Indian top order)
• Arshdeep Singh (picks early wickets, dangerous with new ball)

Players You Cannot Ignore:

• Jasprit Bumrah
• Suryakumar Yadav
• Abhishek Sharma
• Hardik Pandya
• Sanju Samson
• Monank Patel (USA captain, key batter)
• Harmeet Singh (experienced spinner for USA)

Risky Differential Picks:

• Tilak Varma (if he plays, low ownership but high impact)
• Washington Sundar (if he plays, all-rounder points)
• Kuldeep Yadav (mystery spinner can run through batting orders)
• Shehan Jayasuriya (experienced campaigner making USA debut)
• Rinku Singh (finisher role, not always gets chance to bat but deadly when he does)

Small League Strategy:

Go with proven performers. Build your team around Bumrah, SKY, Abhishek, Hardik, and Sanju Samson. Pick 6 to 7 Indian players and 4 to 5 from USA. Make Bumrah or SKY your captain. Avoid too many risky picks because in small leagues, safety and consistency win you money.

Grand League Strategy:

This is where you take calculated risks to climb the rankings. Consider making Abhishek Sharma or even Kuldeep Yadav your captain if you want differential. Include one or two USA players who might have low ownership like Shehan Jayasuriya. If Tilak plays and has low ownership due to injury concerns, he's a brilliant differential pick. Balance your team with 7 Indians and 4 USA players or even 8-3 if you're going ultra-aggressive on India domination.