T20 World Cup: India skipper Suryakumar Yadav on Thursday provided a fitness update on Washington Sundar ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the USA, stating that the all-rounder will not be rushed to make a comeback.
The defending champions India will lock horns with USA in their tournament opener at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday, looking to win a historic third title.
Suryakumar highlighted the team's wish to allow Washington a full recovery, insisting they won't rush the all-rounder's return, prioritising a "one hundred per cent" comeback.
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"Tilak Varma got a break; he couldn't play the New Zealand series and when he came back, he was a different player. He played an A-series game (warm-up match between India A and USA) and also yesterday (on Wednesday against South Africa). We are hoping Washington will also (go) the same (way)," Suryakumar said during the Captains' Press Conference.
"He is doing really well. He is almost there. We want him to be fully fit when he comes back... 100 per cent, we will be patient with him," he added.
Suryakumar credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for instilling a team-first mentality.
"The dressing room is the same, only a few boxes (compartments of a train) have changed, but it has been a wonderful journey since he has taken over," Suryakumar said.
"The main thing is the atmosphere that he has created in the dressing room - that it's a team game. He has emphasised that personal milestones should be kept aside and that team goals are more important.
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Suryakumar highlighted Ishan Kishan's maiden T20 ton against New Zealand as a prime example.
"For example, in the last match in Thiruvananthapuram, Ishan was in his 90s and he completed his hundred with a six. That is one thing he (Gambhir) is trying in the dressing room, keeping the personal milestones away and focusing on what the team's goal and then working towards it," he added.