Tilak Varma Set for BCCI Fitness Assessment After Surgery
India's designated number three batsman in T20 Internationals, Tilak Varma, will reach the BCCI's Centre of Excellence on Tuesday. The young cricketer recently underwent surgery in Rajkot for an abdominal issue. This medical procedure occurred a couple of weeks ago during the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament.
Missed Matches and Recovery Timeline
Tilak Varma has been officially ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. The series begins on Wednesday. However, sources close to the development indicate he might return for the fourth T20I scheduled for January 28 in Visakhapatnam.
A source tracking the situation revealed, "If everything goes well, he will be fit before the fourth T20I. He has resumed physical training already. In a day or two, he will start batting and other skill-based activities."
The cricketer is reportedly experiencing no pain currently. His visit to the Centre of Excellence is primarily for a comprehensive fitness test and further medical assessment. The goal is to secure clearance for his Return to Play protocol.
Recent Performance and Injury Onset
Before this setback, Tilak Varma displayed excellent form. He played the T20I series against South Africa in December. Following that, he led the Hyderabad team in two 50-over matches at the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
His performances were noteworthy. He scored an impressive 109 runs against Chandigarh on January 3. He followed this with 34 runs against Bengal on January 6. Unfortunately, it was after this particular match that Varma first experienced significant pain.
Medical professionals advised immediate scans. The results necessitated the abdominal surgery that has temporarily sidelined him.
Squad Adjustments and Iyer's Inclusion
Since Tilak Varma has not been ruled out for the entire T20I series, the selectors made a tactical change. India's ODI vice-captain and Punjab Kings skipper, Shreyas Iyer, has been added to the squad for the first three matches.
Iyer's last T20I appearance was in December 2023 against Australia on home soil. He had subsequently fallen out of India's immediate T20I plans. The middle-order batsman has not featured in any T20 matches since last year's IPL final.
He missed the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while recovering from a spleen injury. Iyer did return for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and also played in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand.
Varma's Importance to the T20I Setup
Tilak Varma has become a key pillar of India's T20I batting lineup over the past year. His statistics from 2025 underscore his value. In 18 innings, he amassed 567 runs at an impressive average of 47.25. His strike rate stood at a healthy 129.15, proving his ability to score quickly.
The BCCI and team management will monitor his recovery closely at the Centre of Excellence. His potential return for the final T20I would provide a significant boost to the Indian side as they look to secure the series against New Zealand.
