When will Tilak Varma return to the Indian team? Here is the new update

According to a report on TOI, in an interesting turn of events, the Indian middle-order batter Tilak Varma is expected to join the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as he continues his recovery from his recent injury.

Notably, Tilak has been ruled out of the first three T20I matches against New Zealand after undergoing testicular torsion surgery. However, there is a piece of good news for the Indian cricket fans ahead of the much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. 

With around two weeks remaining for the mega event, Tilak has been inching towards full fitness and he is expected to join the Indian team before the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, January 28.

“If everything goes well, he will be fit before the fourth T20I on January 28 in Vishakhapatnam. He has resumed physical training and, in a day or two, will start batting and other skill-based activities," a source told The Times of India.

Notably, Shreas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have been added to India's T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, replacing Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar respectively. While Iyer will be a part of the squad for the first three T20Is, Bishnoi will be a part of the side for all five games.

"The all-rounder (Washington) has been ruled out of the upcoming IDFC First Bank T20I series against New Zealand. The Men's Selection Committee has named Ravi Bishnoi as his replacement," the BCCI said in a release.

"Washington Sundar underwent scans after reporting an acute onset discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on 11 January," the BCCI added.

"This was followed by an in-person consultation with an expert. He has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised rest for a few days, following which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) for further management of his injury," it added.

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