India’s cricketer Tilak Varma will miss the first three T20Is against New Zealand as he underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in Rajkot. The surgery was necessary after Varma experienced acute pain in his abdominal region, leading to an emergency procedure at a super-speciality hospital.
Varma’s availability for the remaining two matches will depend on his recovery progress during the return-to-training and skill phases. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that Varma has been discharged from the hospital and is set to return to Hyderabad soon. He will gradually resume physical training and skill-based activities once his symptoms have completely resolved.
The recovery timeline raises doubts about Varma’s participation in India’s T20 World Cup opener against the United States of America on February 7. With key fixtures against Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands following, Varma’s absence could impact the team’s batting lineup. Suryakumar Yadav might step in to bat at the number three position in Varma’s absence.
India is yet to announce a replacement for Varma in the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand, scheduled in Nagpur, Raipur, and Guwahati. The final two T20Is are set to take place in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram on January 28 and 31.
