Tilak Varma doubtful for T20Is against New Zealand after undergoing surgery

India batter underwent the procedure in Rajkot, where he was leading Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy

India batter Tilak Varma is doubtful for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand from January 21 after undergoing testicular surgery in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Tilak had complained of pain following Hyderabad's Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture against Bengal on Tuesday; he was immediately advised to undergo scans, followed by the procedure. He is expected to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in the next few days, and a timeline for his rehab and return will be established once he is assessed, though it could be three-four weeks.

The timing of Tilak's injury and recovery period means he could be touch and go for India's T20 World Cup opener against USA in Mumbai on February 7. Their other group fixtures are against Namibia (February 12), Pakistan (February 15) and Netherlands (February 18).

After playing the T20I series against South Africa in December, Tilak led Hyderabad in two 50-over games at the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 109 against Chandigarh on January 3 and made 34 against Bengal on Tuesday.

Tilak has been a key member of India's T20I squad over the past six months, having played in each of their last three assignments: Asia Cup (September), Australia T20Is (October) and South Africa T20Is (December). He made 567 runs in 18 innings last year at an average of 47.25 and strike rate of 129.15.

India are yet to name a replacement for the five T20Is against New Zealand on January 21, 23, 25, 28 and 31. Teams can make changes to their T20 World Cup squad without needing ICC approval until January 31, 2026.