NEW DELHI: India batter Tilak Varma will be sidelined for nearly three weeks after undergoing surgery for a groin issue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Thursday. The 23-year-old had the procedure on Wednesday and was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning. He is currently stable and scheduled to return to Hyderabad on Friday.
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Varma has been ruled out of India’s first three Twenty20 matches against New Zealand, scheduled between January 21 and 25. His participation in the final two matches of the five-game series, on January 28 and 31, will depend on his recovery progress, the BCCI added.
The batter has played 40 T20 internationals for India, scoring two fifties in his last three matches in the format. He was not included in India’s squad for the three 50-over matches against New Zealand, starting Sunday.
India will begin their T20 World Cup title defence at home with a Group A match against the United States on February 7. Varma’s recovery timeline suggests he could be available for selection later in the tournament if he progresses well.
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The BCCI confirmed that medical staff will monitor his rehabilitation to ensure a safe return to competitive cricket. Varma’s absence comes as a setback for India’s T20 squad ahead of both the New Zealand series and the upcoming World Cup campaign.