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Team India has received a huge boost ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup as Tilak Varma is set to return to action. The young batsman is set to get clearance from the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru during the five-match home T20I series against New Zealand.
Tilak Varma is still recovering from surgery and his comeback has been delayed. He was expected to feature in the final two T20 games against New Zealand but has been ruled out of the home series. The left-handed batsman last played for Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Bangladesh earlier this month.
Tilak Varma nears pass after BCCI’s CoE mock match
According to a report in The Times of India, Tilak Varma is set to make a comeback as she recovers from abdominal surgery. He is currently undergoing training at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bangalore. The left-handed hitter is scheduled to have a simulated game on Friday.
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The medical team is expected to give him clearance. Tilak was earlier expected to join the Indian squad for the fourth and fifth T20Is against New Zealand. However, his recovery took longer than planned.
If the Hyderabad batsman returns to full fitness, he is expected to join the Indian team in Mumbai on February 3. He is likely to join the Indian team for the World Cup warm-up matches just four days before the World Cup begins.
Tilak Varma is expected to return directly to the starting XI
Tilak Varma is expected to make his return to the Indian team when the Men in Blue begin the 2026 T20 World Cup on February 7. He is currently the third-ranked batsman in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings. The 23-year-old has scored 1,183 runs in 40 T20Is at an average of 49.49 and a strike rate of 144.09.
Varma has smashed two centuries and five half-centuries. He made his T20I debut against West Indies in August 2023 and quickly became a reliable presence in India’s midfield. In the 2025 Asia Cup final, he remained unbeaten with a 53-ball 69 as India chased a target of 147.
India defeated South Africa in the 2024 final to win its second title and will enter the 2026 T20 World Cup as the defending champions. Suryakumar Yadav and his team will now aim to become the first team to defend and win the trophy at home.
The tournament will begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. India is placed in Group A along with Pakistan, United States, Namibia and Netherlands.
Washington Sundar yet to play in simulated games due to rib injury
Washington Sundar has yet to compete in a simulated game. The 26-year-old suffered discomfort in the lower rib area while bowling in the first ODI against New Zealand in Baroda. Following the injury, he was ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series as well as the ongoing T20I series.
Sundar has resumed batting during training and may start bowling again in the coming days. India are keeping a close eye on his progress as Sundar is the only off-spinner in the T20 World Cup squad.
It is unclear whether he will be fit in time for India’s match against the United States or their second group match against Namibia. Team management believes he can play an important role later in the tournament.
