Tilak Varma set to miss New Zealand series due to injury, T20 World Cup in doubt

India’s preparations for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand have suffered a potential jolt, with Tilak Varma facing a race against time to regain fitness after picking up an abdominal injury. The left-handed batter, who has become an integral part of India’s T20 setup, is now unlikely to feature in the series, and his participation in the T20 World Cup has also been thrown into doubt.

Tilak reportedly felt abdominal pain while in Rajkot during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was turning out for Hyderabad. Following medical assessments, he was advised to report to the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru for further evaluation. According to reports, the medical team has recommended surgery, which would require a recovery window of around three to four weeks.

Such a timeline effectively rules him out of the New Zealand T20Is and creates uncertainty around his readiness for the T20 World Cup, where India begin their campaign on February 7 against the USA. With the tournament fast approaching, the team management and selectors are closely monitoring the situation.

If Tilak undergoes surgery, the selection committee may need to reconsider its squad composition and identify replacements for the middle-order slot. Players like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who were not part of the initial plans, could come back into contention, while Riyan Parag may also emerge as an option. The selectors are expected to balance experience and current form as they plan for possible contingencies.

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Since making his T20I debut in August 2023, Tilak has established himself as a dependable performer for India. He has amassed 1,183 runs in 40 T20 internationals at an impressive average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09, including two hundreds and six half-centuries, with a top score of 120. He has also contributed with the ball on occasions, picking up three wickets.

With his injury status still unclear, India now face anxious weeks ahead as they await clarity on the fitness of one of their most consistent T20 batters.