Tilak Varma in-danger of missing T20 World Cup matches:India receives huge blow as ICC no. 3-ranked T20I batter to miss NZ T20I series

Indian batsman Tilak Varma is likely to miss the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand. However, it is not just his presence that stays in contention, his T20 World Cup appearance also lies in danger. Notably, the T20I series vs New Zealand will kick off on 21 January, while the T20 WC will start from 7 February. On the morning of 7th January, after having breakfast in Rajkot, Tilak suddenly experienced severe pain in his lower body. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery after examination. At that time, Tilak was in Rajkot with the Hyderabad team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. A BCCI official told PTI that after the pain, he was immediately taken to Gokul Hospital. Tests and scans revealed that Tilak had testicular torsion, a condition that causes sudden, severe pain. Doctors advised immediate surgery without delay. Tilak’s surgery successful, official update on his recovery yet to come A BCCI official conveyed the update to PTI, “We got an opinion from our specialists who agreed with the same. Tilak Underwent successful surgery and is doing well now. We will update you as soon as we have more information on his recovery and the expected time-frame for his return to play, post discussion with the medical panel.” Tilak Varma is ranked no. 3 on the ICC T20I rankings Tilak Varma has been excellent with the bat for India as he is ranked no. 3 globally on the ICC T20I charts. Moreover, he slammed 567 runs in 20 matches in 2025, hitting four half-centuries. Even in terms of impact, he has been crucial as he smashed clutch 69 off 53 deliveries against a formidable opponent like Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final. T20 World Cup squad is the same as the team for T20I series vs New Zealand The Indian team selected for the series against New Zealand has also been chosen for the T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup will begin on 7 February in Colombo, where the first match will be played between Pakistan and the Netherlands. On the same day, the Indian team will play its first match against the USA at Wankhede Stadium. The tournament final will be played on 8 March 2026, while the venue for the final will be announced later. Indian Team for New Zealand T20 Series and T20 World Cup Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar. India’s match Schedule in T20 World Cup India will begin its World Cup campaign on 7 February against USA in Mumbai. Thereafter, matches will be held against Namibia on February 12 in Delhi, against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo, and against the Netherlands on 18 February in Ahmedabad.