Sat Jan 03 02:10:40 UTC 2026: Summary:

A video surfaced showing Indian cricketer Washington Sundar seemingly irritated by fans seeking selfies, sparking a debate on social media about respecting players’ privacy. This incident occurs against the backdrop of India’s intense cricket fandom, where players are often treated like celebrities. Sundar has been selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, a decision that has drawn some criticism from former cricketer Wasim Jaffer, who believes other players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma were more deserving. Sundar was recently part of the T20I series against South Africa and is one of the four spinners selected for the World Cup. The article also lists India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 and the New Zealand T20I series.

News Article:

Fan Frenzy: Washington Sundar’s Selfie Refusal Sparks Privacy Debate

New Delhi, January 2, 2026 – A viral video showing Indian cricketer Washington Sundar appearing frustrated with fans requesting selfies has ignited a discussion about the boundaries of fan interaction and player privacy in India’s cricket-obsessed culture. The video, which circulated widely on social media, shows Sundar seemingly declining photo requests, leading to divided opinions amongst fans. Some users defended the cricketer, arguing that players deserve personal space and should not be constantly bombarded with attention. Others criticized Sundar, questioning the basis of his celebrity.

The incident comes as Sundar is named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has publicly questioned the selection, suggesting that in-form players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma were more deserving of a spot. Jaffer expressed his surprise at the selection committee’s decision to include Sundar and Ishan Kishan over Jaiswal and Sharma, especially after Kishan’s stellar performance in Jharkhand’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory.

“Why not Jaiswal & Jitesh? I would have them in place of Ishan & Washi,” Jaffer posted on X.

Sundar’s inclusion marks his return to the squad, having recently featured in the T20I series against South Africa. He is one of four spinners selected for the World Cup, raising questions about team balance and playing XI combinations.

India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and New Zealand T20I series:

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk).

The incident with Sundar underscores the challenges faced by Indian cricketers who are often elevated to demi-god status, raising important questions about balancing fan engagement with the need for personal space. The upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be a stage where these issues will be constantly on display.

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