India have suffered a setback ahead of the New Zealand T20I series. Middle-order batter Tilak Varma has undergone surgery for testicular torsion. The injury is serious and will need long recovery time. Tilak is expected to be out for at least four weeks.
Because of this, he is likely to miss the full five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The injury has also put his place in doubt for the T20 World Cup. The global tournament will begin on February 7.
India are one of the co-hosts and will defend their title. The first T20I against New Zealand will be played on January 21 in Nagpur.
Tilak will not be fit in time for the series. The BCCI is expected to name his replacement soon. Shreyas Iyer closes in on T20I return
Shreyas Iyer emerges as the top contender to replace Tilak Varma
The Mumbai batter recently returned from injury himself. He has impressed since his comeback. This could mark his return to India’s T20I side after more than three years. His last T20I appearance came in December 2023.
Iyer was earlier left out of T20I squads despite strong performances. He led Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025. He also scored 583 runs in the tournament. Many experts questioned his absence from the national team.
The 31-year-old suffered a spleen injury during the 2025 tour of Australia. He completed a long rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He has already been named in India’s ODI squad against New Zealand.
He is also captaining Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Iyer is expected to lead Mumbai for a few matches.
After that, the medical team will assess his fitness again. If cleared, he could also be considered for the T20 World Cup squad. India and New Zealand will play five T20Is.
The matches will be held in Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram. All games will be played in the evening.
An official update from the BCCI is expected soon.
