New Delhi: Rising Indian batting talent Tilak Varma is on the verge of a full recovery and is expected to participate in a simulation game at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Following the exercise, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to grant him fitness clearance, paving the way for his return to the national squad ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which begins on February 8.
Tilak underwent abdominal surgery earlier this month, creating uncertainty over his availability for the marquee tournament. He was initially anticipated to join India’s T20I squad for the final two matches of the ongoing series against New Zealand. However, the BCCI had clarified that while he had resumed physical training, the batter required additional time to regain “full match fitness.”
According to reports, the simulation game is scheduled for Friday, after which Tilak is expected to link up with the rest of India’s World Cup squad on February 3 for warm-up fixtures.
All-rounder Washington Sundar, who sustained a rib injury while bowling during India’s first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, is also set to participate in a fitness simulation soon. Sundar missed the remainder of the series, including two ODIs and five T20Is, and will use the game to prove his readiness for the World Cup.
Other players returning from injury include right-arm pacer Mayank Yadav, who has recovered from a stress fracture and will represent India A in the warm-up matches, and batter Riyan Parag, who has been rehabilitating a shoulder injury and is expected to feature in the Friday simulation in Bengaluru.
With multiple key players nearing full fitness, India’s squad is set to enter the T20 World Cup on a stronger footing, ensuring a combination of in-form talent and depth across batting, bowling, and all-round options.
