Tilak Varma Nears Return, Simulation Game to Decide T20 World Cup Fate: Report

India's rising batting sensation Tilak Varma is edging closer to a return to competitive cricket, with the BCCI set to assess his readiness through a simulation match at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The outcome of the session is expected to play a decisive role in determining his availability for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.

Tilak recently underwent abdominal surgery, which had cast serious doubt over his participation in the global tournament scheduled to begin on February 8. However, his recovery has progressed steadily, and he is now on the brink of receiving official medical clearance from the board.

The simulation game, scheduled to take place on Friday, will serve as a final test of his match readiness before the selectors

and medical staff take a call on his return.

If he passes the fitness assessment, the top-order batter is expected to join India's World Cup squad on February 3, ahead of the team's warm-up fixtures. His comeback would be a significant boost for the Indian setup, given his growing reputation as one of the most promising young batters in the T20 format.

Earlier, Tilak was expected to rejoin the national side during the closing stages of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. However, the BCCI clarified that although he had resumed physical training, he still required additional time to achieve "full match fitness. " Consequently, Shreyas Iyer has been retained in the squad for the remainder of the series to ensure stability in the batting lineup.

India are also monitoring the fitness of all-rounder Washington Sundar, another key member of the World Cup squad. Sundar is likely to undergo a similar simulation test soon as he continues his recovery from a rib injury sustained during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara. The injury had ruled him out of the remaining white-ball fixtures against the visitors.

With the World Cup fast approaching, the BCCI's cautious approach underlines the importance of having fully fit players for the marquee event. For Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, the upcoming fitness assessments could mark the final step in their race against time to be ready for the global stage.