The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued an update confirming that batter Tilak Varma will miss the first three T20Is of the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand due to an abdominal issue. According to BCCI, Tilak Varma, who underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in Rajkot on Wednesday, 7 January, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning and will return to Hyderabad on Friday. Moreover, the BCCI stated that Varma's availability for the remaining two T20Is will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases. This is a massive setback for India in the lead-up to the T20I World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to start on February 7.
Over the past year, he has been a prominent figure in India's T20I setup, having played a key role in India's Asia Cup title win last year. Meanwhile, India will take on New Zealand in the first of five T20Is on January 21 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.