Washington Sundar has played 13 tests so far He has picked 32 wicketsand has scored 752 runs. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has played 40 First-Class matches in his career, scoring 1885 runs. He also has 91 wickets to his name in the longest format. Washington Sundar’s place in India’s ODI setup has become one of the more intriguing talking points of the current series. The young all-rounder is working through a demanding phase in the 50-over format, yet the team management insists he remains central to their plans.
Washington Sundar’s batting at the back end of an innings has come under scrutiny in recent matches. In Ranchi, he made 13 off 18 balls, and in Raipur, he managed 1 off 7. Both knocks slowed India at crucial moments and highlighted the challenges of a role that requires instant acceleration. While Washington Sundar’s batting is being sharpened, his bowling has also seen limited use this year. He has played only five ODIs in 2025 and bowled his full ten overs in just one of them.
Washington Sundar was part of the squad during India’s recent T20I series win over South Africa, but he only featured in the series-deciding game in Ahmedabad. He is one of four spinners in India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. However with the other three spinners Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the Playing squad there is a slimmest of chance that Washington Sundar could be playing at any point in the World Cup and Former Indian player Ajinkya Rahane felt the same.
Ajinkya Rahane believes that Washington Sundar will find it difficult to make cut to the Playing 11 ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
All-rounder Washington Sundar’s place in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad is under scrutiny as form, balance and team composition spark discussion ahead of the marquee tournament.
The question of whether Washington Sundar will remain a key part of India’s setup heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has become a talking point among fans and pundits alike. Known for his spin bowling and useful lower-order batting, Washington Sundar’s role as a flexible all-round option has made him a fringe selector favourite.
Former cricketer Ajinkya Rahane talked about Washington Sundar’s position and whether he will get a chance to be a part of the playing XI. Sundar is an incredible cricketer with outstanding stats and fans wll expect him to be there. But with Axar Patel in the team, it might get tricky for Washington Sundar.
Speaking in a YouTube video released on Thursday, January 8, Rahane noted that with Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav , and Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad, Washington Sundar could find himself on the bench, though he may still get opportunities depending on the team combination. He said :
“Washington Sundar, again, he can play. He can play any match, but it depends on what the pitch is like, what the opposition’s combination is, and the conditions you are playing in. All these things matter a lot because you already have Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. All three are different kinds of spinners.”
India’s former cricketer made some good points in terms of selecting Washington Sundar in the team. With the presence of other combinations, Sundar will have to wait for his turn. He is likely to give India breakthroughs and score runs with the bat as well which will be extremely important in the marquee event.
“So it will be very difficult for Washington Sundar, as an all-rounder, to get into the team. But as I said, looking at the team combination is very important, and he could still start in the playing XI. Again, he is a very good option to have in the squad. He is a batting all-rounder who can give you maybe two overs, and in batting as well, he is very flexible and can bat at any position,” he added.
Washington Sundar has played 58 T20Is for India ,scoring 254 ruuns scoring one half century and claiming 51 wickets. Now it would depend on his performance in the upcoming series vs New Zealand how he himself becomes a reckoning in the playing XI for World Cup 2026 rather than warming the bench in the World event in 2026.
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