Tilak Varma resumes training, reports no pain post injury

Tilak Varma has taken a crucial step forward in his recovery timeline. The Indian batter has resumed physical training and is not experiencing any pain following surgery for testicular torsion. The development comes at a decisive stage, with the T20 World Cup 2026 less than three weeks away.

Varma suffered the injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, which ruled him out of the opening three T20Is against New Zealand. The left-hander is now targeting a comeback in the fourth match of the five-game series. A source revealed to TOI,

“If everything goes well, he will be fit before the fourth T20I on January 28 in Visakhapatnam. He has resumed physical training and, in a day or two, will start batting and other skill-based activities."

The report also confirmed that Varma has not felt any discomfort during his recovery phase.

Medical clearance and return-to-play process

Varma is set to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further assessment. The upcoming fitness tests will determine when he receives the Return to Play clearance. Medical staff will evaluate workload tolerance before approving match readiness. Until then, his rehabilitation remains structured and controlled.

The injury surfaced after Varma led Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 109 against Chandigarh on January 3 and followed it with 34 against Bengal on January 6. Post that fixture, he reported pain and was advised immediate scans. Surgery followed soon after in Rajkot, ruling him out of competitive action.

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Squad changes and India’s interim plans

In Varma’s absence, India have restructured their T20I plans. Shreyas Iyer has been recalled for the first three matches against New Zealand. Washington Sundar, who is injured, has been replaced by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Earlier, Ishan Kishan was brought back as cover following Shubman Gill’s poor form, with Kishan also seen as an option at No.3.

Tilak Varma’s numbers underline his value. In 2025, he featured in 20 T20Is, scoring 567 runs from 18 innings. He averaged 47.25 with a strike rate of 129.15. His season included four half-centuries, highlighted by an unbeaten fifty in the T20 Asia Cup final against Pakistan. He batted across roles, adapting to team requirements.

India will monitor his progress closely. The decision will be medical, not emotional.

India's T20I squad for New Zealand series -

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Tilak Varma (last two T20Is).