Tilak Varma Injury Scare: Surgery Recommended, T20I Series vs New Zealand
Tilak Varma
India’s Asia Cup final hero and middle-order batter Tilak Varma has suffered an abdominal injury that could rule him out of the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 21 in Nagpur. Medical advice has reportedly suggested surgery, which would keep the left-hander sidelined for three to four weeks, making his participation in the series highly unlikely.
Replacement Dilemma: Gill Unlikely, Parag in Frame
With Tilak likely to miss the series, India are expected to name a replacement. However, Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, is unlikely to be considered, despite being left out of both the New Zealand T20Is and the World Cup squad.
The reasoning is twofold:
It would be awkward to have India’s all-format leader warming the bench or serving as a reserve.
Dropping Gill midway if Tilak makes a quicker-than-expected recovery would create further selection complications.
A more realistic option could be Riyan Parag, provided he fully recovers from a shoulder injury. Parag’s recent form and ability to contribute as a middle-order batter and part-time bowler make him an appealing alternative.
Shreyas Iyer Declared Match Fit
In a positive development for India, Shreyas Iyer has been declared match fit by the medical team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), Bengaluru.
Shreyas recently featured for Mumbai in a Vijay Hazare Trophy league match against Himachal Pradesh in Jaipur, scoring a fluent 82 off 53 balls. Importantly, he batted without any visible discomfort from the spleen laceration he suffered during India’s tour of Australia, an injury that later required a minor procedure.
Yashasvi Jaiswal to Join India Camp
Meanwhile, Shreyas’ Mumbai and India teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal will skip Mumbai’s final Vijay Hazare Trophy league match to link up with the Indian squad in Vadodara, as preparations intensify for the New Zealand series.
Hardik Pandya to Play Final League Game
All-rounder Hardik Pandya will feature in Baroda’s final Vijay Hazare Trophy league match against Chandigarh on Thursday. Pandya recently made headlines with a sensational 133 against Vidarbha, underlining his batting form.
Despite that performance, Hardik was not selected for the New Zealand T20I series, a decision taken to manage his workload and keep him fresh for the T20 World Cup. Additionally, the COE has not yet cleared him to bowl 10 overs in a match, further justifying the cautious approach.
What Lies Ahead for India
With Tilak Varma likely sidelined and the World Cup fast approaching, India face important decisions:
Managing Tilak’s recovery timeline to ensure World Cup readiness
Selecting a short-term replacement without disrupting long-term plans
Balancing workload for key players like Hardik and Shreyas
Conclusion
Tilak Varma’s abdominal injury has created an unexpected selection challenge for India ahead of the New Zealand T20I series. With surgery recommended and recovery time uncertain, the focus has shifted firmly to ensuring his availability for the T20 World Cup rather than rushing him back.
Written By The Cricket Show:
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