The Indian cricket team is facing a race against time as star batter Tilak Varma prepares to head into the upcoming T20 World Cup with zero competitive match practice this year. The 23-year-old left-hander is currently recovering from testicular surgery, and while his progress is encouraging, the BCCI has opted to give him more breathing room to regain full match fitness.
Initially expected to miss only the first half of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Tilak has now been ruled out of the entire bilateral contest. He is slated to join the national squad in Mumbai on February 3, just a day before India’s warm-up fixture against South Africa.
The Road to Recovery and the Battle for the Top Order
According to an official statement from the BCCI released on Monday, Tilak has resumed physical training at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. While he is making “steady progress,” the medical team emphasized that he requires additional time before he can handle the intensities of an international match.
Tilak’s absence is a significant talking point, given his meteoric rise over the last few months. He was a cornerstone of India’s Asia Cup triumph and dominated the scoring charts during the T20I series in South Africa last December. However, his time on the sidelines has allowed others to stake their claim. Ishan Kishan, who is also in the World Cup squad, has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Captain Suryakumar Yadav recently lauded Kishan’s “fearless aggression” after a blistering 76 off 32 balls against the Black Caps.
With Abhishek Sharma also in sensational form—recently smashing India’s second-fastest T20I fifty—the competition for those top-order slots is heating up. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson finds himself under pressure after a string of low scores, adding another layer of complexity to India’s selection headaches.
Squad Deadlines and Injury Updates Across the Camp
As the January 30 deadline for unrestricted World Cup squad changes looms, the Indian management is keeping a close eye on several key players. While Tilak is expected to be ready for the warm-up games, questions remain regarding Washington Sundar. The all-rounder, a vital part of India’s four-man spin attack for the tournament, has been out with a rib injury since January 11, and there has been no official update on his availability.
On a more positive note, Riyan Parag has received fitness clearance from the CoE following a shoulder injury. He is expected to get some much-needed game time featuring for India A in their upcoming fixtures against the USA and Namibia.
To maintain stability during the final matches against New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer will remain with the squad as cover, despite not being part of the official World Cup contingent. All eyes now turn to Navi Mumbai on February 4, where Tilak Varma is expected to finally pad up and prove he is ready for the world stage.
