Indian batter Tilak Varma will miss the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and his participation in the early matches of next month’s T20 World Cup also remains in serious doubt. Varma has undergone surgery for a groin issue after suffering acute pain while playing Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day competition.
The 23-year-old was rushed to hospital in Rajkot after complaining of sharp discomfort while representing Hyderabad in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Medical assessments later confirmed the need for surgical intervention, ruling him out of immediate international games. India are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning January 21 in Nagpur.
BCCI says Varma currently stable
Providing an update on Varma’s condition, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia said the left-hander is recovering steadily. “He is currently stable and progressing well. Tilak will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and wound healing is satisfactory,” Saikia said in a statement.
He confirmed that Varma will miss at least the first three T20Is against New Zealand. “He is ruled out of the first three T20Is. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases,” Saikia added.
India and New Zealand will begin their limited-overs engagement with a three-match ODI series on January 11, 14 and 18, before switching to T20Is on January 21, 23, 25, 28 and 31. The T20 series assumes added significance with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching.
India’s schedule for T20 World Cup
India are set to open their World Cup campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against the United States, followed by a clash with Namibia in Delhi on February 12. Their group-stage schedule also includes a high-profile encounter against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, before facing the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
Varma’s injury is a potential setback for the India national cricket team, given his growing importance in the middle order. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will hope the young batter recovers in time to play a part as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
India’s squad for New Zealand T20Is and World Cup
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)