In a significant setback to India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that middle-order batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the first three matches of the T20I series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old, who recently underwent surgery for an abdominal issue, has been discharged from the hospital but will require time for rehabilitation before returning to competitive cricket.

BCCI issues update on of Tilak Varma

According to the official media advisory issued by the BCCI, Tilak reported acute pain while in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and subsequently underwent emergency surgery. The board confirmed that the procedure was successful and that the Hyderabad cricketer is currently stable.

“Tilak will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and wound healing is satisfactory,” the BCCI statement read.

While he is definitely out for the Nagpur, Raipur, and Guwahati fixtures, the medical team has not completely closed the door on the series. His availability for the final two T20Is—scheduled for Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram—will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases.

“He is ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases,” the statement added.

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No replacement named yet

The BCCI has opted not to name a replacement immediately, meaning India will proceed with a 14-member squad for the initial leg of the series starting January 21. Tilak’s absence leaves a void in the middle order, specifically removing a versatile left-handed option that the management was keen to utilize ahead of the T20 World Cup.

In his absence, the team management may look to reshuffle the batting order, potentially giving a consistent run to other middle-order assets like Rinku Singh or adjusting the top order to accommodate the change. All eyes will now be on the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical staff as they monitor Tilak’s recovery in hopes of getting him match-fit before the marquee ICC event later this year.

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