Gautam Gambhir and Tilak Varma [Source: AFP]Tilak Varma has been training intensely at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The star Indian cricketer has been out of competitive cricket for nearly a month after he sustained an abdominal issue during the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season. In a bid to prepare himself for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Tilak Varma faced fellow recovering cricketer and star pacer Mayank Yadav at full tilt. Tilak’s late insurgence from injury might well have added to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s headache, who is reportedly already shuffling through options with the national selectors amid numerous injury concerns. Tilak Varma whacks Mayank Yadav, announces intent as T20 World Cup looms In a video trending on social media, Tilak Varma was spotted facing LSG fast bowler Mayank Yadav at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru. At one stage of their match simulation, Tilak even stepped out of the crease to smack the paceman over his head. Their training session reportedly went for an extensive period as both cricketers aim to recover their usual jig after recovering from injuries.HARSHIT🕷 @I_am_Harshit_17 Mayank Yadav Bowling against talik Verma in Match Simulation at CoE. Jan 30, 2026, 8:23 PM The training session marked a significant one for Tilak Varma, in particular, as the charismatic middle-order batter is slated to represent Team India at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next week.The cricketer has not played competitive cricket since January 6, after he underwent an abdominal issue during his time with Hyderabad at the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Tilak Varma subsequently had an emergency surgery for his quick recovery, and he was also excluded from Team India squad for the T20I home series against New Zealand. According to an earlier BCCI report, the 23-year-old is expected to link-up with Team India squad on February 3 next week at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The following day, the Indian team will face South Africa for a warm-up match at the same venue. Mayank Yadav preps for his return to competitive cricket Concurrently with Tilak Varma, injury-prone fast bowler Mayank Yadav is also bowling at full pace as his own return to competitive cricket looms. While the speedster last played any form of cricket back during the IPL 2025 season for the LSG, he has been selected in India A squad for the warm-up fixtures of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Mayank Yadav, Tilak Varma as well as star all-rounder Riyan Parag all had a crack on the field at the BCCI CoE on Friday, January 30. India to play USA on T20 World Cup 2026 opening day Team India is set to face USA on the opening day of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next week. The match will be hosted by the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As of now, the defending champions are engaged in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home. The Indian team sealed the series with two games to spare after comprehensively routing the visitors in the first three T20Is.
