Riyan Parag could yet find himself back in India’s T20 World Cup plans, with uncertainty continuing to surround Washington Sundar’s fitness ahead of the tournament opener.
The BCCI has instructed the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to keep Parag match-ready, anticipating a scenario where Sundar may not be available for the early part of the T20 World Cup 2026. Sundar is still recovering from a side strain suffered during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, where he experienced discomfort in his left lower rib area while bowling. He managed just five overs before being ruled out of the rest of the ODI series and the ongoing T20Is.
While Sundar is undergoing rehabilitation, reports suggest he needs at least two more weeks to attain full fitness, placing serious doubt over his availability for India’s World Cup opener against South Africa on February 7 in Mumbai.
With the ICC yet to schedule official warm-up matches, India are exploring alternatives, including a possible practice game on February 4, either against South Africa or via an intra-squad fixture involving India ‘A’. In this context, Parag has been identified as a like-for-like backup and has been asked to stay on standby, according to a Times of India report.
Parag has been training at the CoE for the past three weeks as he recovers from shoulder surgery. The 24-year-old returned briefly to competitive cricket during the Ranji Trophy earlier this month but suffered a setback during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, forcing him to miss the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the second leg of the Ranji season. His last competitive appearance came on December 6.
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Despite the interruptions, Parag has resumed batting and bowling at full intensity in the nets and is currently pain-free. He is scheduled to feature in two simulation matches on January 28 and January 30, after which a final fitness clearance will be taken on January 31. He has been asked to be ready to travel to Mumbai when the Indian squad assembles on February 2.
While Parag is not part of the current World Cup squad, selectors view him as a flexible option should Sundar fail to recover in time.
Beyond the national setup, Parag continues to be a significant figure for Rajasthan Royals. He captained the side in a few matches last season and scored 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.53 during an otherwise disappointing campaign. With Sanju Samson traded ahead of IPL 2026, Parag remains a strong contender to take over the captaincy, with the franchise yet to announce its leader.
