Bad news for Team India ahead of T20 World Cup, injury to three star players sparks concern for Suryakumar Yadav, they are….
India’s build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026 has hit a rough patch even before the tournament begins. With the global event set to get underway on February 7, injuries have started piling up for the Indian team, raising fresh concerns around fitness, squad balance, and last-minute replacements.
So far, three Indian players have been sidelined by injuries, dealing a clear blow to the team’s preparations at a crucial stage.
Pant Ruled Out of ODI Series
The first setback came just before the opening ODI against New Zealand, when Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the series due to a strained ankle. While Pant isn’t part of India’s T20 World Cup plans, his injury still adds to the growing list of fitness issues in the squad.
The focus, however, has shifted to players who are expected to play a key role in the upcoming World Cup.
Tilak Varma’s Injury Raises Major Alarm Bells
Among the three injured players, Tilak Varma’s situation is the most concerning. The young batter has been ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand after suffering a groin-related issue that required surgery. Given the severity of the injury and the recovery timeline, Tilak’s chances of making the T20 World Cup squad now look slim.
According to the BCCI, Tilak is recovering, but progress has been slow. In an official statement, the board said, “Tilak is currently doing well and recovering from his illness. Upon full recovery and satisfactory healing of his wound, he will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities.”
The injury occurred while Tilak was representing Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He reportedly experienced severe abdominal pain after breakfast and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors identified an abdominal injury and advised surgery.
Washington Sundar Also Sidelined
Adding to India’s worries, Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a lower left rib injury. While Sundar’s injury isn’t believed to be as serious as Tilak’s, his fitness remains under watch given his importance as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Unlike Pant, both Sundar and Tilak are part of India’s provisional T20 World Cup squad, making their injuries far more impactful in the bigger picture.
Recovery Timeline Brings Mixed News
There is some relief for the team management, as Pant and Sundar are expected to recover soon. Pant, in any case, hasn’t been named in the T20 World Cup squad, easing selection headaches slightly.
Tilak’s case, however, remains uncertain. If he fails to regain full fitness in time, the selectors will be forced to look at replacements, a call that could significantly alter India’s middle-order combination.
Selection Questions Ahead of the World Cup
With the clock ticking, India’s think tank faces a nervous wait. Tilak Varma has been seen as a key part of the team’s future, and his potential absence would leave a notable gap. Who steps in, if required, is a question that could dominate discussions in the coming weeks.
India’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
India’s announced squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 includes Suryakumar Yadav as captain, with Axar Patel named vice-captain. The team also features Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson as wicketkeeping options, alongside a strong bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, and Washington Sundar.
As things stand, injuries have added an unwanted layer of uncertainty to India’s World Cup campaign. Whether the team can get its key players fit in time or will be forced into late changes, could go a long way in shaping its fortunes when the tournament begins.