Tilak Varma has taken a significant step towards his return to competitive cricket, offering Indian fans a timely boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The 23-year-old left-hander is currently sidelined from the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand after undergoing abdominal surgery on January 7, but he has begun light training as part of his rehabilitation programme.
On January 30, Tilak shared a short training clip on Instagram that quickly caught the attention of fans and cricket watchers. The video showed him batting fluently in the nets and even rolling his arm over, a positive sign that his recovery is progressing on schedule. In one clip, the Hyderabad batter was seen confidently driving a fast bowler down the ground, underlining his intent to return stronger for the business end of the season.
Tilak’s comeback is crucial for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans. The Mumbai Indians star has cemented his role as India’s preferred No. 3 in the shortest format, offering stability at the top and the ability to accelerate against spin and pace.
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His absence in the New Zealand series has allowed Ishan Kishan to bat at No. 3, and the wicketkeeper-batter has made the most of the opportunity with a string of encouraging performances. This has set up an interesting selection dilemma for the team management once Tilak is cleared to return, with both players being left-handed batters who bring similar attacking intent to the middle order.
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Tilak last featured for India in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad in December 2025, where he produced a classy 73 off 42 balls, reminding everyone of his value in high-pressure situations. Since making his T20I debut against the West Indies in August 2023, he has been one of India’s most consistent young performers, scoring 1,183 runs in 40 matches. His tally includes two memorable back-to-back centuries against South Africa in November 2024, along with six half-centuries, underlining his growing pedigree in international cricket.
While Tilak is primarily known for his batting, his part-time bowling adds another dimension to his game. He has chipped in with three T20I wickets, including best figures of 1/1, offering the captain an extra option when match-ups demand flexibility.
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As per updates from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Tilak is expected to complete his rehabilitation shortly and link up with the national squad next week. If all goes to plan, he could feature in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4. With the global tournament just around the corner, Tilak Varma’s return could be one of the most timely boosts for India’s title defence.
