Virat Kohli and Riyan Parag - (Source: AFP)
With the T20 World Cup 2026 less than a month away, preparations are in full swing for the marquee event. However, Team India is sweating hard due to numerous injury concerns leading up to the World Cup.
Rishabh Pant is injured, but he is not in the scheme of things. The biggest concern is Washington Sundar, who was named in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, but got ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand because of a rib injury that he sustained during the ODI series.
Now, Sundar is racing against time to get fit for the T20 World Cup, but India are also contemplating replacement options. Notably, for the ODIs, the Men in Blue named Ayush Badoni as the replacement, which sparked criticism.
The fans blasted Gambhir and his management for bringing in Badoni, who hasn’t really done enough to earn an India call-up. Interestingly, there were calls for Riyan Parag, who was actually in Gambhir’s plan when he took on as India head-coach.
Gambhir’s liking for Riyan Parag
For the unversed, Gautam Gambhir took over as India's head coach in July 2024, and his first assignment was Sri Lanka tour. The first major change in India’s squad was the inclusion of Riyan Parag. The RR star was touted as the next big thing as he was utilised as an all-rounder.
Parag played three matches across formats in that series and amassed just 48 runs. However, the 24-year-old picked up six wickets, making him a valuable asset. However, post that tour, Parag was out of the scheme of things, and injuries were to be blamed for it.
Riyan Parag’s tryst with injuries
Parag underwent shoulder surgery in 2024, which also ruled him out of action for a long time. Upon his return, the right-handed batter had a lean patch in domestic cricket, and recently, the shoulder relapsed.
Parag was troubled by his shoulder and missed the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy for Assam. Eventually, Parag checked in at the BCCI’s CoE, where he underwent treatment. In the latest events, Parag still continues to be in CoE, which is the reason he was not considered as Washingston Sundar’s replacement.
Riyan Parag nears full-fitness
Had Parag been fit, he would have been the first choice above Ayush Badoni. However, a report from Times of India mentioned that the 24-year-old is close to full fitness, and there is a possibility that in case Sundar fails to get fit in time for the World Cup, then the Men in Blue might actually pull in Riyan Parag as a surpirse for T20 World Cup 2026.
Another positive for Riyan Parag is that Nitish Kumar Reddy is not doing well and amassed just 125 runs in 11 innings across formats in 2025. Therefore, Parag's inclusion would not create an uproar as it will be the need of the hour.
Gambhir and his management will hope that Parag retains his fitness in time because India can only change their squad till January 31.
