Tilak Varma return date finalized as India batter nears comeback ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Team India first-choice No. 3 batter Tilak Varma has taken a major step toward his return after surgery for testicular torsion. The left-hander has begun strength drills at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence and is likely to be available for the final T20I match against New Zealand.

Varma suffered the injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season, which ruled him out of the first three matches of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. The selection committee brought Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer into the squad for the opening three T20Is to cover for his absence.

Tilak Varma Likely to Return for Fifth T20I Against New Zealand

Tilak Varma is expected to return to action in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. According to RevSportz, the left-hander is likely to be available for the fifth T20I after recovering from surgery.

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The Hyderabad batter has begun strength training at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is expected to rejoin the squad before the final T20I, scheduled for January 31.

"Tilak Varma is likely to be available for the fifth T20I of the ongoing series against New Zealand, it is learnt," the report read.

"The Hyderabad batsman, who has been ruled out of the first three matches of the series after undergoing a surgery, has started strength drills at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru."

India Receive Boost Ahead of T20 World Cup as Tilak Varma Nears Early Return

India have received encouraging news ahead of the T20 World Cup. Tilak Varma is recovering faster than expected and has already resumed intense gym and strength sessions. He shared an Instagram story hinting at an early return ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

GOOD NEWS FOR TEAM INDIA 🇮🇳

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— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->6

The medical team will assess Varma’s condition before deciding on his official Return to Play clearance. In 2025, the left-hander scored 567 runs in 20 T20Is at an average of 47.25 and a strike rate of 129.15, while registering four half-centuries.

Varma scored an unbeaten fifty against Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final. The southpaw made 69 runs off 53 balls, including three boundaries and four sixes, while chasing a target of 147 runs.

India Take 1-0 Lead After 48-Run Win Over New Zealand in Nagpur

Speaking about the first T20I, India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21, to take a 1-0 lead.

India posted a total of 238/7 in 20 overs after losing the toss. Opener Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation with a blistering 84 off 35 balls, while Rinku Singh added late momentum with an unbeaten 44 off 20. Jacob Duffy was the best bowler for New Zealand, returning figures of 2/27.

Chasing the target, New Zealand finished on 190/7. Glenn Phillips top-scored with a fighting 78 but lacked support from the other batters. Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube claimed two wickets each to seal the win.

Also read: "He doesn't want to bat against...": Arshdeep Singh EXPOSES Abhishek Sharma