“Washy [Washington] is joining us in Delhi,” Suryakumar said after India’s 29-run win over USA in their campain-opener. “He is good, everything is fine.”
Washington was sidelined with a side strain after the first ODI against New Zealand last month and missed the T20I series as well as the warm-up game and the opening match of the T20 World Cup. While he was replaced by Ayush Badoni in the ODI series, India opted not to replace him in their T20 World Cup squad, with the extent of injury not being too series. With Axar Patel making a crucial contribution with the bat and then picking up 2 for 24 in India’s 161-run defence against USA, Washington is likely to be a back-up in the squad.
India’s pace bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also missed the clash with illness, but he is expected to be ready before the next game. Suryakumar said that “he was having high fever because of the weather” and that even Abhishek Sharma was a little under the weather. Bumrah’s absence allowed for the return of Mohammed Siraj, who had last played a T20I for India in July 2024. He made an immediate impact on his return, ripping out two wickets in the powerplay, before dismissing USA’s highest run-scorer of the innings, Shubham Ranjane, off the final delivery of the contest.
Following Siraj’s returns and Washington’s availability, India will be faced with a pleasant headache ahead of the match against Namibia on Thursday.
