Less than a month before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, India have suffered a massive injury blow to their middle-order batter and the hero of the Asia Cup 2025, Tilak Varma, and could also get replaced for the upcoming five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand, which begins on January 21 in Nagpur.

In that case, the BCCI selectors may look to consider Shubman Gill, who has already been ignored for the World Cup. If things turn out, Gill may also get a look for the world tournament. The reports have claimed that Varma was in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 when he felt a pain in the abdomen after breakfast.

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“Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen today (Wednesday). He was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE. 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.” The Indian Express Reports revealed.

Tilak Varma suffers abdomen injury ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Tilak has overall smashed 1183 runs in 37 innings of the shortest format at an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09 with the help of six half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 120 runs against South Africa.

India would be worried about his availability for the T20 World Cup campaign, which begins on February 08, where India’s opening game will be against the United States of America at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Shreyas Iyer may also get a chance in the T20I side after returning to the 50-over domestic event.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya continues to feature in the last round of the VHT 2025/26 against Chandigarh after missing the previous clash. He smashed 133 against Vidarbha and was ignored in the New Zealand ODIs to manage his workload and keep him fresh for the World Cup.