India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup have suffered a potential blow as middle-order batter Tilak Varma is racing against time to recover from an abdominal injury. The left-hander is likely to miss the T20I series against New Zealand, and his participation in the global tournament now hangs in the balance.
According to reports, Tilak picked up the injury while representing Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Rajkot. After medical consultations at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, doctors have advised him to undergo surgery. The expected recovery period is three to four weeks, which makes his availability for the full New Zealand series highly unlikely and puts pressure on his World Cup timeline.
Tilak Varma has been one of India’s most consistent T20 performers since his debut in August 2023. In 40 T20 internationals, he has amassed 1,183 runs at an impressive average of 49.29 and a strike rate of over 144, including two centuries and six half-centuries. His ability to anchor the middle order while maintaining a high scoring rate has made him a key part of India’s T20 setup. He was especially influential during last year’s Asia Cup, playing a crucial role in India’s title-winning campaign with a match-defining fifty in the final against Pakistan.
If Tilak opts for surgery, the Indian selectors may be forced to revisit their squad composition ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins for India on February 7 against the USA. His absence would leave a significant gap in the middle order, opening the door for players who were previously out of contention.
Experienced batters like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer could return to the frame, while in-form youngsters such as Riyan Parag may also be considered. With a major tournament approaching, the selection committee faces a tricky balance between backing experience and rewarding recent performances as they look to finalise a settled and resilient squad.
