Mumbai: India batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the first three T20 Internationals against New Zealand after undergoing surgery for an abdominal issue, the BCCI said on Thursday.
The 23-year-old was hospitalised in Rajkot after experiencing severe discomfort while playing for Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Medical scans indicated the need for immediate surgical intervention, following which Tilak underwent a successful procedure on January 7. He was discharged the next day and has since returned to Hyderabad, where he is continuing his recovery.
In an official update, the BCCI stated that Tilak will begin light physical activity once his symptoms fully subside and the surgical wound heals adequately. He will then gradually progress to cricket-specific training as part of a carefully monitored rehabilitation programme.
Tilak has been ruled out of India’s first three T20Is of the five-match series against New Zealand, which begins on January 21. His availability for the remaining two matches will depend on his recovery and fitness levels, with the team management set to review his condition closer to the games.
The absence of the left-handed batter comes as a setback for India, with the team in the build-up phase to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Tilak has been an important member of India’s T20 setup in recent months. The BCCI has not announced any replacement at this stage.
