Riyan Parag is likely to make a comeback for India in the national setup ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, since the BCCI has asked the Indian management to consider the options for the backup of Washington Sundar.
Riyan Parag was among the first few projects that Gautam Gambhir took up after being appointed the head coach of the Indian team. Parag found a place in the ODI and T20I teams for India in the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka back in 2024.
However, Riyan Parag’s most recent T20I appearance came back in October 2024 during a series against Bangladesh; however, he was kept out of contention by a shoulder niggle. Parag underwent surgery and, since then, has been rehabilitating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
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Riyan Parag’s recovery is on track ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Riyan Parag spent the latter half of the 2025-26 season managing his right shoulder injury. The injury flared up once again during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, forcing him to miss the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Parag last played a competitive match on December 6th against Odisha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. During Parag’s participation in the domestic match, he was in a very poor streak, as he scored 5, 15, 14, 0, 5, and 14 in those games.
Since then, Riyan Parag has been at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where he is closing in on full fitness, as per TOI reports. The all-rounder has been in the facility for the past three weeks and is awaiting a green signal from the Indian selectors.
“He has started batting and bowling in the nets this week. He is not feeling any pain and is getting closer to regaining full fitness,” a source tracking developments told TimesofIndia.com.
Riyan Parag remains a like-for-like replacement for both Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar
The Indian management have been instructed to keep their plan B ready to make player replacements since Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma are on the verge of losing their maiden World Cup appearance chance.
Sundar has been ruled out with a side strain during the first ODI in Vadodara, while Tilak Varma underwent surgery earlier this month, and he has hence been ruled out until the third T20I against New Zealand.
Parag resembles a life-for-life replacement for both Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, who is awaiting clearance from the CoE following rehabilitation from his shoulder injury. He is expected to resume bowling at full intensity and is expected to get a clearance by next week.
Will Parag replace Sundar for the T20I leg of the New Zealand series?
All teams in the ICC are permitted to make changes to their World Cup Squads until January 31st, which is just one week before the kick-off of the World Cup. The Indian management will be closely monitoring Parag’s progress.
Ayush Badoni replaced Washington Sundar in the Indian ODI side ahead of the second match in Rajkot. However, it seems that Badoni would replace Sundar in the five T20I matches as well, or will selectors declare Riyan Parag as his replacement?
