The Indian cricket team has suffered a major setback ahead of the T20 series against New Zealand. Young batsman Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the first three T20 matches.
The BCCI issued an official update regarding his injury on Thursday.
The decision was made after Tilak’s health suddenly deteriorated, requiring him to undergo surgery in Rajkot.
What happened to Tilak Varma?
According to the BCCI, 23-year-old Tilak Varma experienced sudden and severe abdominal pain on Wednesday. After examination, doctors immediately advised surgery, and he underwent the procedure at a super-specialty hospital that same evening.
The board clarified that the surgery was necessary and could not be delayed.
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia commented on Tilak’s condition, saying, “He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning and is scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday. He is currently stable and progressing well.”
This statement makes it clear that Tilak’s condition is currently stable and his recovery is progressing well.
The board further stated that Tilak will gradually return to training.
The BCCI statement said, “Tilak will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and wound healing is satisfactory. He is ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases.”
Impact on the upcoming series and the team
Tilak Varma’s absence could impact the Indian team’s batting lineup. He has scored 1,183 runs in 37 T20I innings so far, with an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09.
He also has two centuries and six half-centuries to his name. This might necessitate captain Suryakumar Yadav batting higher up the order.
The first three T20 matches between India and New Zealand will be played in Nagpur, Raipur, and Guwahati on January 21, 23, and 25. The last two matches will be held in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram on January 28 and 31. The BCCI has not yet announced a replacement for Tilak Varma.
This injury has also cast doubt on his participation in the opening match of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for February. India is scheduled to play their first match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7.
The team will then face Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Currently, Tilak’s return will depend entirely on his recovery progress.
