Major update on Tilak Varma ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; India's no 3 to visit CoE on...

Tilak Varma [Source: AFP]

In what comes as encouraging news for Indian fans, young batter Tilak Varma is steadily moving closer to making his return to competitive cricket. Although he was ruled out of the first three T20Is of India’s series against New Zealand, recent updates suggest that his recovery is progressing well.

According to reports, Tilak is expected to reach the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Tuesday, where he will undergo a detailed fitness test and medical assessment.

Tilak Varma to reach CoE

Importantly, TOI report indicates that Tilak is currently not experiencing any pain. This is a positive sign, as it means his body is responding well after surgery. The purpose of his visit to the CoE is to complete the final checks required for his “Return to Play” clearance.

Notably, if these tests go as planned, there is strong hope that he could be fully fit before the fourth T20I, scheduled to be played on January 28 in Visakhapatnam. 

Furthermore, Tilak has already restarted light physical training, and within a day or two, he is expected to resume batting practice and other skill-based activities. This step-by-step approach is being followed to avoid any setbacks and ensure a safe comeback. 

What happened to Tilak Varma?

After finishing his duties for India in the T20I series against South Africa, Tilak returned in excellent form. During that series, he played a key role by scoring two half-centuries, helping India secure important victories. Following this success, he went on to captain Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26.

While representing Hyderabad, Tilak played two matches. In the first game against Chandigarh on January 3, he delivered an outstanding performance by scoring a century. He then followed it up with a useful knock of 34 runs against Bengal on January 6. 

However, after the Bengal match, Tilak began to experience abdominal pain. As a precaution, he was immediately advised to undergo medical scans immediately. Unfortunately, the scans revealed an issue that required surgery, which he later underwent in Rajkot. 

India name Tilak Varma’s replacement for first three T20Is vs NZ

As a result of the surgery, Tilak was ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand, which begin on January 21. However, he has not been ruled out of the entire five-match series. To cover his absence, India’s ODI vice-captain and Punjab Kings skipper, Shreyas Iyer, has been added to the squad for the first three matches, scheduled for January 21, 23, and 25.

Tilak Varma’s excellent run in T20 cricket

It is important to note that over the past six months, Tilak Varma has firmly established himself as a vital part of India’s T20I setup. He featured in all three recent assignments, the Asia Cup in September, the Australia T20Is in October, and the South Africa T20Is in December. 

During the last year, he scored an impressive 567 runs in 18 innings, averaging 47.25 with a strike rate of 129.15. Given his consistency and importance at the No. 3 position, his potential return will be a major boost for Team India moving forward.