Ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. India’s dependable batter, Tilak Varma, is very close to being fully fit, which is a massive boost for the top order of the blue brigade as the southpaw is close to being cleared by the Centre of Excellence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Bengaluru. 

Tilak Varma is anticipated to be cleared after taking part in a simulation match on Friday, as he is recovering from the abdominal surgery that he underwent during the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 and has been training at the CoE. He was expected to join the Indian squad for the final two T20Is against the Blackcaps, but the management has asked Shreyas Iyer to remain in the squad.

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Tilka is expected to join the national side in Mumbai on February 03, which is subject to regaining full match fitness, ahead of their warm-up fixture against South Africa at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Mayank Yadav regains full fitness ahead of IPL 2026

The fast bowler, Mayank Yadav, has also regained full fitness after spending nearly a year out of action with a lower back stress fracture. The youngster is set to make his comeback with the India A side during the T20 World Cup warm-up matches. Mayank had impressed with his pace during the IPL 2024 and earned a T20I call-up during the Bangladesh T20I series at home.

Despite all of his fitness issues, Lucknow Super Giants retained him for the IPL 2026. Riyan Parag, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury, is also likely to be cleared after the stimulation clash at the CoE in Bengaluru.

On the other hand, the spin all-rounder of the Indian side, Washington Sundar, is yet to play a stimulation game, which is anticipated to be scheduled soon. The 26-year-old has been out of action with the acute discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against the Blackcaps in Vadodara on January 11