Tilak Varma undergoes surgery, ruled out of New Zealand series and in doubt for T20 World Cup

Star Indian batter, Tilak Varma has suffered an abdomen injury. This injury could rule him out of the T20I series against New Zealand. India would look to draft a replacement for the series against New Zealand that kicks off on January 21 in Nagpur. Shreyas Iyer could be considered for the middle order spot. Shreyas Iyer had a very good season for PBKS in the IPL and led his team to the final. So he could be a good fit if picked. It is highly unlikely that Shubman Gill makes it back to the side.

A source in the Indian board confirmed this news that Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen on Wednesday and was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE. Tilak was in Rajkot playing the Vijay

Hazare Trophy, when he felt a pain in the abdomen after breakfast on Wednesday morning.

After this he was immediately rushed to the Gokul Hospital, where scans diagnosed him with testicular torsion, and doctors advised immediate surgery. Tilak subsequently underwent successful surgery yesterday and is now doing well. He will be out of the hospital today. This news was told by Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah.

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The Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four week for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand looks bleak. With less than a month left for the main event, India would be more worried about his availability for the T20 World Cup that begins on February 7.

India’s opening game against USA is scheduled on 7th January. Tilak was excellent in 2025 notably winning India the Asia Cup Final and he has scored 1183 runs in 40 T20I matches at an average of 49. If Tilak Varma does not make it to the squad he could be replaced by Shreyas Iyer.