Team India batter Tilak Varma shared a post on Instagram on Friday, January 30. One of the videos showed him charging down the pitch to a fast bowler and hitting a boundary straight down the ground as he continues his recovery and works towards full fitness.

Tilak was earlier named in the squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. However, he was later ruled out of the first three matches after undergoing abdominal surgery in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 7. The BCCI announced this update on January 8.

In the viral video, Tilak, who scored a brilliant fifty for India against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, 2025, can be seen playing an aggressive straight shot against a fast bowler.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tilak Varma (@tilakvarma9)

Tilak Varma’s Return Boosts Team India

Tilak Varma is a very important member of India’s T20I team, and his return from injury is very good news for India.

The left-handed batter, who plays for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, is India’s regular No. 3 batter in the T20 format.

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Ishan Kishan Shines in Tilak’s Absence

In Tilak’s absence, Ishan Kishan batted at No. 3 for India in the first three T20I matches against New Zealand. He performed well and impressed with his batting.

It will now be interesting to see how the Indian team management includes both Ishan and Tilak in the playing XI once Tilak is fit. Since both are left-handed batters with similar skills, one of them may have to sit out if only one spot is available.

Tilak Set to Return Soon

Tilak last played for India in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on December 19, 2025. He scored 73 runs from just 42 balls while batting at No. 3.

He is expected to join the Indian team next week after completing his recovery at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Tilak is likely to be available for selection in the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4.