Tilak Varma for India - (Source: AFP)
On Thursday, January 8, India’s star batter Tilak Varma dealt a heavy blow as he was ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand starting from January 21. The southpaw, who was set to represent Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Rajkot, complained of abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital.
Tilak was immediately rushed to Gokul Hospital in Rajkot, where scans confirmed a testicular torsion. Doctors advised urgent surgery, which was successfully carried out the same day. The injury has come at the worst possible time for the 23-year-old as India will host the T20 World Cup in February, which is less than a month away.
When will Tilak Varma return from Injury?
Tilak Varma has been one of India’s finest performers in T20Is since 2025. Now, it is confirmed that he will miss the upcoming New Zealand series, but clouds loom over his T20 World Cup participation. The fans are worried and curious whether the southpaw will be able to recover in time or not from his injury.
For the unversed, the latest development is that Tilak Varma will require 3-4 weeks to recover from his injury, read a report from News18.
“Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four weeks for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand look bleak," he added.
Tilak Varma: A man in form for team India
2025 is a year known for Abhishek Sharma bursting onto the scheme of things. He was India's top scorer with 859 runs in 21 innings. However, Tilak had an equal successful year as the 23-year-old was India's second-leading run-getter last year.
Varma scored 567 runs in 18 innings and averaged 47.25. Tilak's most notable contribution came in 2025 Asia Cup final when he slammed an unbeaten 69 (53) against Pakistan and single-handedly won the tournament for the Men in Blue.
Replacement pressure for BCCI, but Shubman Gill not in plans
There is an uncertainity around Tilak's participation for T20 World Cup as he is expected to miss the opening game or two at max. Therefore, it is unlikely that the BCCI name an replacement for Varma for the T20 World Cup. However, the southpaw is also out from the New Zealand series and it is possible that the apex cricket board of India might name Tilak's replacement there.
BCCI is contemplating replacements, but a latest report from Devendra Pandey of Indian express stated that Shubman Gill is not in the plans. Notably, Gill's exclusion from T20 World Cup 2026 squad was one of the most talked-about things after the squad was made public.
Now, it seems that the selectors have shut their doors on Gill because of his underwhelming performance since Asia Cup 2025.
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