In a major boost to Team India, their star all-rounder Washington Sundar is all set to join the squad in Delhi after team's 29-run win over USA at the Wankhede stadium on February 7. Sundar was ruled out of India's T20 World Cup campaign opener against the USA. The 26-year-old spinner is currently sidelined with a side strain and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Despite this setback, his recovery appears to be on track; captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Sundar is expected to rejoin the national squad in New Delhi ahead of their next fixture against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Washington Sundar to join India squad in Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav
The Indian skipper also provided clarity on the absence of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was a notable omission from the starting XI. Suryakumar revealed that the premier pacer missed the clash against the USA due to a viral fever, though the team management remains hopeful for his quick return to the field. Bumrah’s presence will be vital as the tournament progresses, especially given the challenges posed by the Wankhede pitch in the first game.
Furthermore, Suryakumar shared a concerning update regarding opening batter Abhishek Sharma, disclosing that the youngster was not at 100 per cent fitness for the match. Despite dealing with lingering physical issues, Abhishek opted to play through the discomfort, a decision that may have contributed to his uncharacteristic first-ball duck. These injury and illness updates suggest that while India secured a victory, the squad is currently navigating a demanding period of physical management.
“Washi is joining us in Delhi. He's good. Everything is fine. Bumrah, he was having high fever due to because of weather, like how Abhishek was under the weather. But rest, everything is good,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation.
India survive USA scare
India endured a rough outing with the bat at the Wankhede Stadium, as their star-studded lineup struggled to adapt to the conditions. The top-order collapse was punctuated by golden ducks for both Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube, while four other players failed to reach double digits. Even the set batters struggled for rhythm; Ishan Kishan found it difficult to generate momentum, leaving the hosts in a dire state at 77/6. It was only through a masterful, unbeaten 84 off 49 balls from Suryakumar Yadav that India managed to salvage a total of 161, which ultimately proved enough to secure a 29-run victory.
In the aftermath of the win, the captain offered a sober reflection on the team's performance, emphasizing that the result provided several critical lessons. He noted that the batting unit needed to be "better and smarter," particularly in how they approached the early stages of the innings. Suryakumar highlighted the lack of cohesion in the middle order, suggesting that the team must prioritize building small, steady partnerships rather than attempting high-risk strokes when the pressure is mounting.
“I think after winning also, you get to learn a lot of things. And today we learned that we could have batted a little better or maybe a little smarter. Those small, small partnerships could have got us to 160 rather than one batter or two batter trying to play it till the end. But at the same time, it's okay. We sit around aaram se [sit relaxed], we have a lot of time, five days for the next game and we'll come back stronger,” he added.