New Delhi: Team India has received a boost ahead of their T20 World Cup campaign, as explosive batsman Tilak Varma is on the verge of full fitness. Varma, who was injured during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is rapidly recovering and is expected to undergo a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Based on the test results, he will follow a rehabilitation plan aimed at ensuring his timely return to international cricket.
No Pain, Only Progress
According to media reports, Tilak Varma is no longer experiencing any discomfort and is preparing to undertake the fitness test. Depending on the outcome, the CoE will determine his rehabilitation schedule and likely return to the team. It is anticipated that Varma could make his comeback during the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand, giving him an opportunity to regain match practice before the World Cup. He was left out of India’s playing XI for the first three T20 matches against New Zealand but may return for the final two games.
Crucial Role Amid Suryakumar’s Form Struggles
Tilak’s presence in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad is expected to be crucial, especially as captain Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling for form at the No. 4 spot. While there is hope that Suryakumar will regain his form during the five-match T20 series starting 21 January, the responsibility of anchoring the middle order could fall squarely on Tilak’s shoulders. He has proven his capability in similar roles during the Asia Cup 2025 and subsequent T20 series against Australia and South Africa. In 2025, Tilak scored 567 runs in 18 T20 Internationals at an impressive average of 47.25 and a strike rate of 129.15, underscoring his excellent form.
Injury During Vijay Hazare Trophy
Tilak Varma sustained an abdominal injury while leading Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He had been in fine form, scoring 109 runs against Chandigarh on 3 January and 34 runs against West Bengal on 6 January. Following the West Bengal match, he complained of pain, leading to a scan that confirmed an abdominal injury, after which he underwent surgery in Rajkot.
Shreyas Iyer Replaces Varma in Early Matches
In Tilak’s absence for the first three T20 matches against New Zealand, India’s vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been included in the playing XI. Iyer, who captains Punjab Kings in the IPL, is also a formidable T20 batsman. His last T20 International appearance for India was against Australia in December 2023. He had been recovering from a spinal injury sustained during the 2025 IPL season and returned to competitive cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before joining India’s ODI squad against New Zealand.
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