Tilak Varma Ruled Out of New Zealand T20Is

Team India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 have been hit by a significant setback. Star middle-order batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 21, due to a severe abdominal injury.

The 23-year-old left-hander reportedly experienced acute pain on Wednesday morning, January 7, while in Rajkot for Hyderabad’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign. After undergoing scans at a local hospital, the reports were reviewed by medical experts at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, who have recommended surgery.

The Injury & Recovery Timeline

• The Incident: Varma felt sharp pain after breakfast on Wednesday and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
• The Diagnosis: An abdominal injury requiring surgical intervention.
• Recovery Window: Doctors estimate a recovery period of three to four weeks post-surgery.
• World Cup Impact: With India’s T20 World Cup campaign beginning on February 7 against the USA, Varma is in a high-stakes race to regain match fitness. He is expected to miss at least the first two group games.

The Replacement Puzzle: Why No Shubman Gill?

While the BCCI is set to name a replacement for the New Zealand series, reports suggest that Shubman Gill—India’s current Test and ODI captain—is unlikely to be drafted in.

• The Logic: Team management is hesitant to have a senior multi-format captain “warm the bench” or create a selection headache should Varma return mid-series.
• Frontrunner: Riyan Parag is being considered as a like-for-like aggressive middle-order option, provided he clears his own fitness test following a minor shoulder niggle.

India vs. New Zealand T20I Schedule

Updated T20 Squad (Pending Replacement)

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar. (Tilak Varma – Injured)