Tilak Varma To Miss IND vs NZ 4th and 5th T20Is: Report

Tilak Varma is set to remain sidelined for the remainder of India's T20I series against New Zealand, though the young batter is expected to be fully fit in time for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the left-handed batter will not feature in the fourth and fifth T20Is but is on track to rejoin the national squad ahead of the World Cup preparations.

The 23-year-old, who has emerged as India's preferred No. 3 in T20Is, is likely to link up with the team on February 3 in Mumbai. His return comes just a day before India's scheduled warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4, which will serve as a key rehearsal ahead of the tournament. India are set to open their World Cup campaign against the United

States of America (USA) in Mumbai on February 7.

Tilak's absence in the ongoing series prompted the team management to rope in Shreyas Iyer for the first three matches. With Tilak ruled out for the final two games as well, there is a strong possibility that Iyer will continue to be part of the squad for the remainder of the series. Whether he finds a place in the playing XI, however, remains a decision for the team management, especially with combinations being tested ahead of the World Cup.

Iyer's inclusion also carries added significance given his stature in Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League. The Mumbai-born batter, who currently captains Punjab Kings, became one of the most expensive players in IPL history after being picked up for ₹26.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, underlining his value in the shortest format.

Despite his brief absence, Tilak Varma's impact on India's T20 setup remains undeniable. In 40 T20I appearances, he has amassed 1,183 runs, highlighted by two centuries and six half-centuries. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating when required has made him a crucial cog in India's batting order. Notably, Tilak was India's leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan in Dubai, further cementing his reputation as a big-match performer.

With his return imminent, India will hope Tilak regains full rhythm ahead of the World Cup, where his role at No. 3 could be pivotal in shaping the team's title ambitions.