With Washington Sundar’s availability and long-term role uncertain ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Indian selectors are facing a familiar but tricky problem: how to replace a player whose value lies in balance rather than raw numbers. Sundar’s skill set — economical off-spin in the powerplay, calm lower-order batting, and tactical flexibility — is rare, and no obvious like-for-like replacement exists.
India are likely to opt for another all-rounder, but the shortlist reflects different philosophies: replicate Sundar’s role as closely as possible, or reshape the balance of the XI altogether.
Riyan Parag: The Power Upgrade
Parag offers far greater batting firepower than Sundar and can bowl off-spin when required. His fearless approach suits modern T20 cricket, but recurring fitness concerns and limited recent bowling overs raise doubts about his reliability as a genuine all-round option.
Ayush Badoni: The Quiet Contender
Already trusted as Sundar’s replacement in ODIs, Badoni fits the selectors’ preference for flexible, batting-first all-rounders. His off-spin is useful rather than threatening, but his composure and adaptability make him a strong candidate for a similar tactical role.
Vipraj Nigam: The X-Factor Wrist Spinner
Not a like-for-like option, Nigam brings something different altogether. A right-arm wrist-spinner who can bat deep, he adds variety to India’s spin attack. However, choosing him would mean redefining Sundar’s role rather than replacing it.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: The Seam-Bowling Pivot
If India prioritise balance over replication, Reddy becomes an intriguing option. His ability to bowl medium pace and contribute lower-order runs could help reshape the team combination, especially on overseas pitches.
Shahbaz Ahmed: The Proven Plug-In
Arguably the safest option on paper, Shahbaz offers batting stability and dependable left-arm spin. While he doesn’t provide off-spin, his recent India recalls and all-round consistency make him the closest “plug-and-play” alternative.
Ultimately, India’s choice will reveal their tactical direction for the 2026 T20 World Cup — whether they want to preserve Sundar’s control-driven role or evolve towards greater power, variety, or pace-bowling depth.