Tilak Varma, the standout performer in the Asia Cup final and a key figure in India’s middle order, has sustained an abdominal issue that may force him to miss the forthcoming T20I assignment against New Zealand. Although a replacement is expected before the January 21 series opener in Nagpur, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is unlikely to be considered.
Tilak was in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy when he experienced abdominal discomfort after breakfast on Wednesday morning. According to The Indian Express, he later sought medical consultation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru.
“Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen today (Wednesday). He was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE,” a source in the Indian board confirmed.
“Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four week for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand looks bleak,” he added.
India’s bigger concern would be Tilak Varma’s fitness for the T20 World Cup, which gets underway on February 7, the same day India open their campaign against the USA. The choice of his replacement, meanwhile, will be closely watched.
Shubman Gill, who was left out of both the New Zealand series and the World Cup squad, appears an unlikely option, with sources indicating that neither the selection committee nor the team management are inclined to recall him. The reasoning is that it would be unusual for India’s Test and ODI captain to sit on the bench or carry drinks.
Additionally, it could create an awkward situation if Gill is brought in and Tilak recovers quickly, forcing a reshuffle later in the series. Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag could emerge as a stronger contender, provided he makes a full recovery from his shoulder injury.
Shreyas Iyer Declared Fit
India’s ODI vice-captain and middle-order mainstay Shreyas Iyer has been given match-fitness clearance by the medical team at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. He recently turned out for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh in a Vijay Hazare Trophy league fixture in Jaipur, scoring a brisk 82 off 53 deliveries.
Notably, he showed no signs of discomfort related to the spleen laceration sustained during the Australia tour. The Mumbai batter later also underwent a minor medical procedure. Despite his selection in India’s ODI squad being subject to fitness approval from the COE, Shreyas has now been cleared and is set to make his ODI return, his first since the clash against Australia at the SCG in August.
Meanwhile, his Mumbai and India teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal will miss Mumbai’s final Vijay Hazare Trophy league match to link up with the Indian squad in Vadodara.
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