Tilak Varma fit for T20 World Cup, alarm bells for Sanju Samson

Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson [Source: @KKRWeRule/x, AFP]

Tilak Varma has reportedly attained full recovery to join the Indian team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 next month. However, the charismatic left-hander will still not play India’s remaining two matches of the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home.

As per reports, Tilak Varma will join the Indian squad for the showpiece event on February 3. It is worth noting that the 23-year-old sustained an abdominal issue while preparing for Hyderabad’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match earlier this month. 

The injury had ruled Tilak Varma out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand, putting his T20 World Cup availability in doubt.

Tilak Varma poised for India return after missing NZ T20Is

India’s middle-order resolute Tilak Varma is primed for his return to international cricket. As reported by a Jagran News sports editor on X, Varma has attained full fitness after recovering from his abdominal issue.

The report added that Tilak Varma will be joining the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 3. Despite attaining full recovery, the 23-year-old will not be playing the remaining two matches of India’s ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.

Tilak Varma starred in his previous T20I assignment for India, aggregating 187 runs in just four innings of a five-match series against South Africa last month. With an average of 62.33, Varma top scored in the series as India clinched the four-match rubber 3-1.

The left-hander also played a handful of Vijay Hazare 2025-26 matches for the Hyderabad team earlier this month before his abdominal issue forced him out of action for a while. The Hyderabad cricketer even underwent an emergency surgery in Rajkot back on January 7.

What Tilak Varma’s return means for struggling Sanju Samson?

In the absence of Tilak Varma, comeback man Ishan Kishan took charge of India’s middle-order in the series against New Zealand. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter made the most of his second coming to the Indian team, slapping match-winning scores of 76 and a 13-ball 28 in two of his three innings so far.

With Ishan Kishan firing on all cylinders, several fans and cricket experts are urging the team management to promote him as India opener for the 2026 T20 World Cup in place of struggling Sanju Samson.

With Tilak Varma poised to make his return to the team as a middle-order batter, the team management might well elevate Ishan Kishan as new opener to accommodate the returning star at his usual position.

That scenario could leave Sanju Samson as the odd one out, with his place at the top of the order coming under serious threat ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

India preps for T20 World Cup title defense

Tilak Varma, one of the heroes of India’s Asia Cup 2025 win, is set to further bolster India’s all-firing batting order at the 2026 T20 World Cup next month.

The defending champions are scheduled to commence their title defense with a match against USA on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It is worth noting that the Indian team will enter the showpiece event on a trail of 11 successive T20I series wins.