India's promising middle-order batter Tilak Varma is on the verge of a crucial comeback. He is set to be cleared for full fitness by the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after a strong recovery from groin surgery.
A BCCI source told PTI on Saturday that Tilak is going to be released from CoE and he will link up with the Indian team in Mumbai ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Tilak underwent surgery for the groin injury on January 7. He has been training diligently at the CoE since then. On Friday, he participated in a simulation match to secure final clearance. The 23-year-old has now regained full match fitness.
When will Tilak Varma return?
Tilak Varma is set to join the Indian team on February 3, ahead of India's first match in the World Cup. This timely boost arrives just
days before the T20 World Cup begins across venues in India and Sri Lanka from February 7
Defending champions India open their campaign against the USA on February 7. Tilak's return allows him to join squad warm-ups, including the fixture against South Africa on February 4 in Navi Mumbai. He missed the recent T20I series against New Zealand, where Shreyas Iyer stepped in as his replacement.
Tilak last played internationally with a match-winning 73 off 42 balls at number three against South Africa on December 19, 2025. His left-handed aggression and finishing skills strengthen Suryakumar Yadav's lineup. This development enhances India's depth following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Varma has been a top performer for India in the T20 format. In 2024, he scored a couple of excellent centuries against South Africa, and continued his form in the domestic cricket. He was instrumental for India in the Asia Cup and played a stellar knock in the final against Pakistan.
