India Plans Special Warm-Up Match Ahead of T20 World Cup Amid Injury Concerns
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With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set to begin on February 7, the Indian cricket team is planning to organise a special warm-up match on February 4 to assess player fitness and team combinations amid growing injury concerns.
According to sources familiar with the development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and national selectors are exploring options to arrange either an international-level practice match against South Africa or an intra-squad fixture involving India ‘A’ players.
The Indian squad is scheduled to assemble in Mumbai on February 2, with the proposed warm-up match likely to be held at the Brabourne Stadium, subject to final approval.
Focus on Injured Players
The team management remains cautious due to uncertainty surrounding the fitness of key players Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma, both of whom are currently recovering from injuries.
Washington Sundar is still battling a side strain, and his rehabilitation has taken longer than initially expected. Medical experts have reportedly advised against rushing his return, as doing so could affect both his World Cup and Indian Premier League participation.
Tilak Varma, who has been sidelined with a minor injury, is progressing well. Sources indicate that his return-to-play plan is underway, and the team management is optimistic about his availability from India’s second group match on February 12.
A BCCI official said the selectors are keen to have the squad settled well before the high-profile clash against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15.
Riyan Parag on Standby
In view of the injury situation, the BCCI has also asked the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to prepare Riyan Parag, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, as a potential backup.
Parag is scheduled to play two simulation matches on January 28 and January 30. If he clears fitness assessments on January 31, he will be asked to report to Mumbai on February 2 along with the main squad.
Officials see Parag as a like-for-like replacement option, especially if Washington Sundar remains unavailable during the early stages of the tournament.
Recent Squad Adjustments
In the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, the selectors had already made temporary changes due to injuries. Ravi Bishnoi was drafted in as Washington’s replacement, while Shreyas Iyer returned to the squad in place of Tilak Varma for the first three matches.
Bishnoi featured in the third T20I in Guwahati, while Iyer remained on the bench. The BCCI has not yet clarified Tilak’s availability for the remaining matches in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.
As per tournament regulations, teams can make changes to their final squads until January 30. However, the T20 World Cup’s technical committee retains the authority to approve replacements during the competition in case of certified injuries.
Selectors Monitoring Washington Closely
Among the current injury concerns, Washington Sundar’s condition remains the biggest worry for the selectors. Sources revealed that he has suffered damage to a muscle connecting the ribs to the lower back — an area that requires careful rehabilitation.
Medical staff are reportedly wary that a premature comeback could worsen the injury and threaten his long-term availability, including for the IPL season.
Given Washington’s importance as a spin-bowling all-rounder, the selectors are weighing multiple contingency plans in case he fails to regain full fitness in time.
Warm-Up Match Seen as Crucial
With no official warm-up games scheduled before the World Cup, the proposed February 4 fixture is being seen as vital for fine-tuning combinations, assessing player workloads, and testing backup options.
Team officials believe the match will provide crucial match practice, especially for players returning from injury, and help the coaching staff finalise their best XI ahead of the tournament opener.
Our Thoughts
India’s decision to organise a last-minute warm-up match reflects a cautious and professional approach ahead of a major global tournament. With key players still under medical supervision, the match could prove decisive in shaping team strategy.
Balancing player recovery with competitive readiness remains a major challenge for the selectors. How effectively the management handles Washington Sundar’s fitness and integrates backup options like Riyan Parag may play a crucial role in India’s early World Cup momentum.
A well-planned warm-up could provide much-needed clarity at a time when margins for error are minimal.