Tilak Varma makes an impressive return in the warm-up game against the USA

India's "A" squad defeated the USA by 38 runs in a warm-up match in Navi Mumbai on Monday, highlighting their depth as they prepare to defend the T20 World Cup at home beginning this week.

One player, Tilak Varma, returned to competitive cricket following a recent injury hiatus, and the match served as both a fitness and form check. The comeback of the left-hander, who had been sidelined since early January following surgery for an injury acquired during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, was eagerly awaited. All eyes were on Tilak when he came out to bat at the end of the fourth over after Priyansh Arya was dismissed.

With a conservative start, Tilak was happy to work singles and settle into the innings. Throughout the first few exchanges, Tilak kept his options straightforward, and the USA bowlers were disciplined, offering little width or overpitched deliveries.

Before the T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak Varma appeared to be in fine shape after returning to cricket following testicular surgery. The left-handed batsman dispelled any questions regarding his match fitness with a swift 38 off 24 deliveries, including two sixes and three fours. Varma solidified his all-around performance by grabbing wickets toward the end of the India vs. USA match, demonstrating his skill with the ball.

His sprinting between the wickets was the first thing that caught my attention. He pushed hard for singles without showing any signs of pain, including a quick run off Jasdeep Singh in the sixth over that suggested he was becoming more confident in his mobility and fitness. He kept the scoreboard moving as he scampered excitedly for twos, sliding his bat in safely.

In the Asia Cup final in Dubai last October, Tilak, a renowned match-winner, helped India defeat bitter rivals Pakistan with an undefeated 69. He has a very Virat Kohli-like style of play at number three, able to quickly transition between acceleration and stabilisation or the other way around. He has amassed 542 runs at an average of 60.22 and a strike rate of more than 160 in 15 innings at number three, including two hundreds, three fifties, and a top score of 120*.

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