Tilak Varma returned to action in the T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match between India A and the United States of America (USA) at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Monday, February 2. After the match, teammate Ravi Bishnoi asked him about his health.

Varma had surgery in Rajkot last month for an abdominal problem and missed the recently concluded five-match home T20I series against New Zealand. Playing his first competitive match after fully recovering, he scored 38 runs off 24 balls and also took one wicket in the warm-up game.

Following India A’s 38-run win over the USA, Bishnoi shared a Snapchat story in which he told Varma that many fans were asking about his health. The 23-year-old replied with an epic response, saying that he was completely fine now. Varma said:

"Aaj fielding dekha? Haan to aur kya chahiye?" (Did you see my fielding today? What else is needed now?)

Watch the Video here: 

pic.twitter.com/mmeh2MXxE7

— Cricket Fan (@Cricketfan_five) February 3, 2026

India A vs USA: Match Summary

After being asked to bat first, India A scored 238/3 in 20 overs. Opener Narayan Jagadeesan played a brilliant knock of 104 runs off 55 balls. Captain Ayush Badoni also impressed, staying not out on 60 from 26 balls.

The USA were bowled out for 200 in 19.4 overs. Andries Gous scored 44 off 31 balls, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi made 41 off 18 balls. Ravi Bishnoi was the best bowler for India A, finishing with figures of 4 overs, 37 runs, and 3 wickets.

Tilak Varma Set for More Action

Tilak Varma is expected to play another warm-up match ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He is likely to feature in the upcoming warm-up game against South Africa, which will be played at the same venue on Wednesday, February 4.

India are placed in Group A along with the USA, Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Namibia. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign on Saturday, February 7, against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Varma’s return is a big boost for the team due to his strong recent form. He was the highest run-scorer in the Suryakumar Yadav-led team’s 3–1 T20I series win against South Africa at home last December.

India have received a timely boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with top-order batter Tilak Varma set to be available for the team’s warm-up matches. The left-hander has reportedly been cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Centre of Excellence, putting him firmly on track for a return just days before the tournament begins.

Tilak has been out of action for close to a month after undergoing surgery for an abdominal injury sustained during a Ranji Trophy fixture last month. Ishan Kishan played the No. 3 position during the recent T20I series against New Zealand because his absence created a gap. The 23-year-old BCCI stated that he has made continuous progress since his surgery through physical training he did for his rehabilitation program.

Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar fitness boost lifts India’s confidence ahead of T20 World Cup opener

According to reports, Tilak will link up with the squad in Mumbai on February 3. He is expected to play for India A during a warm-up match against the United States of America which takes place on February 2 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. He will then rejoin the main Indian squad for another warm-up fixture against South Africa on February 4 at the same venue.

ALSO SEE: Star Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh scripts five-wicket haul despite an unwanted T20I record in IND vs NZ 5th T20I

The captain of India Suryakumar Yadav shared positive news about Tilak who has started to practice batting and bowling and fielding. The team management expects to achieve full match readiness for their stylish left-handed player before the first World Cup match which takes place in less than seven days.

India will begin their title defence against the USA on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Indian team gains additional strength because all-rounder Washington Sundar has achieved almost complete fitness while they prepare for the upcoming global competition. Indian players currently show progress in their recovery from injuries which helps the team prepare for the T20 World Cup tournament.

India squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

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.

Also read -ICC announces match referees and umpires for IND vs PAK and other group Stage matches of T20 World Cup 2026

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.

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

The team management of India had to take a call on Tilak Varma, who recently underwent surgery. Varma was named in the squad for the ongoing India vs New Zealand 5-match T20I series. BCCI has released a fresh report, citing the current status of Varma, which is very crucial as the middle-order batter is also in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

For the first three matches of the bilateral 5-match T20I series, BCCI named Shreyas Iyer as the replacement of Varma. Iyer was not in the original squad. The selectors included him because of the medical condition of Tilak Varma.

Now, as the T20 World Cup 2026 is knocking on the door, set to start on February 7, the team management did not want to make any decision about Varma in a hurry. Thus, they have informed us that Iyer will continue with Team India for the remaining two matches of the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand, and Varma will work on his fitness.

Read More: Pakistan to boycott India clash in T20 World Cup 2026? Final decision to come at this time

On January 26, BCCI informed that Tilka Varma has started physical training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is progressing well. But he needs some more time to gain full match fitness for the flagship tournament of the International Cricket Council (ICC). As Varma remains on the sideline, Iyer will continue his T20I stint for the team for now. 

"Tilak Varma has resumed physical training and is making steady progress with his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. However, he will require additional time to regain full match fitness and will not be available for the final two T20Is of the ongoing IDFC First Bank five-match T20I series," BCCI informed. 

Tilak Varma is out from India vs New Zealand T20I series entirely

"Tilak will link up with the squad in Mumbai once he has regained full match fitness on 3rd February, ahead of India’s warm-up match for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026."

India has already claimed the T20I series by winning three back-to-back matches. The third win in Guwahati confirmed the winner of the series, which is Team India. The remaining two matches are now inconsequential, as the winner of the series is already confirmed. The India vs. New Zealand 3rd ODI will start on January 28 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

India has received great news ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, beginning on February 07 against the United States of America at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Their star number three batter, Tilak Varma, is expected to return to full fitness and join their camp on February 03. 

Tilak Varma picked up the injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 clash in Hyderabad and was out of action for three weeks, missing the ongoing five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand, which saw Sanju Samson opening the batting with Abhishek Sharma, while Ishan Kishan batted at number three.

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Kishan played magnificently to cement his place in the XI, but the concern is around Samson, who has returned with three consecutive poor scores at the opening position, being dismissed thrice inside the powerplay, which now creates questions and doubt whether the management would try to slot Kishan as the opener and bring Varma at number three in the playing XI for the World Cup. 

Tilak Varma set to return for India in T20 World Cup 2026

Varma has been a phenomenal performer for the blue brigade, having collected 1183 runs in 37 innings of the shortest format at an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09, thanks to six half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 120 runs, along with the essential knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final.

If Tilak returns to the XI and Kishan gets the promotion for the opening spot with Abhishek, and India continue to have Shivam Dube at number five, then they will have four left-handed batters among the top five. That will increase the importance of the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, at the top.

Tilak won’t, in that case, feature in the fourth and fifth T20I of the ongoing series, which will give some breathing space to Samson. The Hyderabad batter is likely to play India’s only warm-up clash against South Africa on February 04 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Team India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was the star of the show in the second T20I against New Zealand in Raipur on Friday, January 23. The left-hander smashed 76 runs off just 32 balls as India chased down 209 runs in 15.2 overs to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Ishan had failed to impress in his first match after returning to international cricket following a two-year gap. However, he reminded everyone why he was picked at the last moment, playing a stunning knock in the second T20I. His brilliant performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Ishan Kishan is currently part of the playing XI because Tilak Varma is recovering from an injury. With Ishan in such great form, the team management now faces a tough challenge to find a way to fit both left-handers in the XI. Tilak Varma is expected to return later in the series. He is currently completing his recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

With that in mind, let us look at three ways India can include Ishan Kishan in the playing XI after Tilak Varma’s return in the IND vs NZ 2026 T20I series.

Also read -Watch: Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik hug and shake hands after exhibition match ahead of T20 World Cup

1. Straight swap with Sanju Samson at the top of the order

The second T20I against New Zealand, where Ishan Kishan played well and Sanju Samson failed, could become a key moment in the fight for the opening slot. So far, only Abhishek Sharma has done enough to fix his place at the top. Due to Samson’s inconsistency, the team management may soon think about giving Ishan Kishan a chance to open the innings.

Ishan Kishan was picked in the squad because he can play on tough pitches and is comfortable as an opener. This gives India more balance in the middle and lower order. With the World Cup not far away, the team may not give Samson many more chances. One more poor performance could see Ishan Kishan promoted as opener.

If Ishan opens, Tilak Varma can return at No.3, which is his best position. This change keeps the team’s attacking style and ensures an in-form top order. However, the only drawback is that India’s top three will all be left-hand batters.

2. Demoting Tilak Varma to the No.5 slot

If both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan score runs in the next few matches, it will create a big selection problem. Both players deserve a place in the XI, while Tilak Varma had already fixed his spot before his injury.

To fit all three batters in the team, one of them will need to bat lower down the order. Since Samson has been best as an opener and Ishan Kishan usually bats in the top three, Tilak Varma becomes the best option to move to No.5.

Tilak has batted at No.5 earlier in his T20I career and still plays that role at times for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. In T20Is, he has scored 110 runs in five innings at No.5 with a strike rate of 144.74. In the IPL, he has scored 689 runs in 25 innings at an average of 40.53. However, this move may force India to drop an all-rounder or Rinku Singh, as five specialist batters would already cover the batting depth.

3. Deploying Ishan Kishan as a finisher

A bold option would be to use Ishan Kishan as a finisher, similar to the role once played by Jitesh Sharma. This would allow Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma to bat in their preferred positions. Although most of Ishan’s T20 success has come at the top or middle order, he started his IPL career as a finisher for the Gujarat Lions.

Ishan has also shown that he can bat lower down the order. Recently, he smashed 125 off 39 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka. He also has an excellent strike rate of 191 in the death overs in T20 cricket, making him a strong option for the finisher’s role.

Team India youngster Tilak Varma had a funny moment when he forgot to name Arshdeep Singh as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups. Team India is currently playing a five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home.

During this time, Tilak took part in Star Sports’ ‘Knowledge Check’ segment. He was asked which Indian fast bowler has taken the most wickets in T20 World Cups. Tilak first answered Jasprit Bumrah. After a short pause, he corrected himself and named Arshdeep Singh.

Realising his mistake, Tilak smiled and said, “Paaji, sorry yaar bhul gaya” (Sorry brother, I forgot). The moment quickly became a light and cheerful highlight for fans.

Watch the video here:

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A post shared by Star Sports Kannada (@starsportskan)

Also read - 'I Don’t Have a Lot of Shots' - Abhishek Sharma after stunning 84 vs New Zealand in 1st T20I

Arshdeep Singh tops India’s T20 World Cup wicket list

Arshdeep Singh holds the record for most wickets by an Indian in T20 World Cups. He has taken 27 wickets in 14 matches across the 2022 and 2024 editions. Jasprit Bumrah is close behind with 26 wickets from 18 matches.

Tilak Varma answered all other questions correctly in Star Sports’ Knowledge Check segment. He named Virat Kohli for most T20 World Cup appearances for India. Rohit Sharma was the only Indian to play all nine T20 World Cups. Ravichandran Ashwin hit the winning runs in the India vs Pakistan match in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Irfan Pathan and Virat Kohli won Man of the Match awards in the 2007 and 2024 finals. Suresh Raina remains the only Indian with a T20 World Cup century. Yusuf Pathan is the only Indian to make his T20I debut in a World Cup final.

See also -"When the dust settles..."- Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on MP Shashi Tharoor's 'hardest job after PM' remark

Tilak Varma’s injury update

Tilak Varma missed the first three T20Is of the ongoing series against New Zealand. He is recovering after testicular torsion surgery. He is expected to be fully fit before the T20 World Cup 2026, which starts on February 7.

Also read -Watch: Ishan Kishan loses his bat's control in air during IND vs NZ 2nd T20I

Arshdeep Singh shines in T20Is

Arshdeep Singh is also India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals. The left-arm pacer made his T20I debut against England in 2022.

In 73 T20Is, he has taken 111 wickets at an average of 19.01 and an economy rate of 8.39. His best figures are 4 for 9. Arshdeep is a key part of India’s T20 team and will play an important role in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

In the first T20I against New Zealand, which India won by 48 runs, Arshdeep picked up 1 for 31 in four overs.

India’s recognized number three T20I batter, Tilak Varma, is very close to losing his spot in the T20 World Cup due to an injury that he picked up during the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 while he was playing for Hyderabad. A few days ago, the reports claimed that he had slightly recovered from the injury and is expected to make his return in the last two T20Is for India against New Zealand in the ongoing series.

Tilak Varma has recently posted a video of his recovery at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he was seen lifting weights. The video was quick to grab attention from the public around the social media platforms, as many now anticipate the left-handed batters' return to the T-28 site for the World Cup, where India plays the curtain raiser against the United States of America.

See Also: ICC to replace Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026? This team to be potential replacement

Tilak has always been a vital member of the shortest format in the national side as he has notched up 1183 runs in 37 T20 innings at an average of nearly 50 and strike rate of 144, thanks to his six half-centuries and two centuries at the best code of unbeaten 120 runs.

Tilak Varma expected to make his T20I return  before World Cup 2026

As the replacement of Tilak, the BCCI went back to Shreyas Iyer, who has been in a clinical T20 form, after leading the Punjab Kings to the runners-up position in the previous Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, where he ended up with over 600 runs at a strike rate of more than 175.

Watch the video here: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tilak Varma (@tilakvarma9)

In the ongoing New Zealand T20I match at Nagpur, the management used Ishan Kishan at number three as the Jharkhand batter, having won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, for his state side made his return to the national team after two years.

Tilap has always been a match-winner for the Indian side in crunch situations, including his vital lock in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan when he played an unbeaten knock to shoulder the side over the line.

The left-handed middle-order batter of the Indian side, Tilak Varma’s injury ahead of the home T20I series against New Zealand and the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026 has put the BCCI in a tough position. The southpaw is India’s second leading run-getter in the shortest format after Abhishek Sharma since the beginning of 2025.

In that case, the former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has suggested the name of Shreyas Iyer as Varma’s replacement. He also reckoned that Shubman Gill is likely not get his chance, having struggled with the bat in the last few T20I series.

See Also: Watch: “Our captain Rohit Sharma…”- Jay Shah’s praise for India star wins heart in viral video

“Who can it be? Shreyas Iyer. ‘Sarpanch’ sahab should be picked automatically. He is already playing well and scored in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too. Even when Iyer was not picked in the Asia Cup, it felt slightly unfair, but it was understandable. But there is an opportunity for a middle-order role here. He is also an experienced player and set the IPL on fire.” Chopra expressed on his Twitter account.

Aakash Chopra names Shreyas Iyer as Tilak Varma’s T20I replacement

Iyer, who has collected 1104 runs in 47 T20I innings at a strike rate of 136.12 with eight fifties, has dominated the IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings with 604 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 175.07, thanks to six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

“Riyan Parag could also be one candidate, and he was part of the T20I side before. He can also bowl, and if India is looking for an all-rounder or multi-skilled player, Riyan Parag could be that guy. But my vote is for Shreyas Iyer. I would place Parag at No.2. Jitesh Sharma might have an outside chance.” Chopra shed light.

“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 reports of the Indian Express address.