India have received a timely boost on the fitness front ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming that Tilak Varma is nearing full recovery from his abdominal injury. While the 23-year-old batter will remain sidelined for the final two T20Is against New Zealand, he is on track to return to action soon.
In an official update, the BCCI stated that Tilak is making steady progress in his rehabilitation programme and is likely to link up with the Indian squad in Mumbai on February 3, ahead of India’s warm-up fixture for the global tournament. As a precautionary measure, the team management has opted not to rush him back into competitive action.
With Tilak unavailable, Shreyas Iyer will continue as his replacement for the remainder of the five-match T20I series. The left-handed Tilak had earlier been ruled out of the first three matches due to the abdominal issue, prompting the selectors to call in Iyer.
India, meanwhile, have already sealed the series, taking a commanding 3-0 lead with a dominant performance in Guwahati. That match was highlighted by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering knock, which included the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, underlining the depth and confidence in India’s batting line-up.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India continue to build strong momentum, having not lost a T20I series since lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup. With key players returning to fitness and form peaking at the right time, India appear well-positioned as preparations intensify for the 2026 edition of the tournament.
India’s updated T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
