Tilak Varma to Miss T20 Series Against New Zealand Due to Injury

Tilak Varma's Injury Forces Him Out of T20 Series

Indian middle-order batsman Tilak Varma will not participate in the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand, which kicks off on January 21 in Nagpur. Reports indicate that Tilak has sustained an abdominal injury, preventing him from taking part in the matches. The Indian team is expected to call up a replacement player, although it is unlikely that Shubman Gill will be the one to step in.

The 23-year-old Varma was taken to the hospital after complaining of severe pain while in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was representing the Hyderabad team. According to a BCCI official, he experienced acute pain in the groin area, leading to his admission to Gokul Hospital. Scans revealed a torsion in the groin, necessitating immediate surgery. The official further noted that they consulted specialists who concurred with the need for surgery. Fortunately, the procedure was successful, and he is now recovering. Updates regarding his health and potential return to play will be provided after discussions with the medical committee.

With Tilak confirmed to miss the series against New Zealand, the Indian cricket management is exploring possible alternatives. A report from a media outlet suggests that the likelihood of including Shubman Gill in the squad is low. The selectors believe that bringing in the current Test and ODI captain only to have him sit out would be 'strange.' Additionally, they want to avoid a situation where Tilak could recover by the latter part of the T20 series, forcing them to drop Gill from the team.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit for the match by the England medical team. He recently played for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Himachal Pradesh, scoring 82 runs off 53 balls without any issues, making him available for the ODI series against New Zealand.