Tilak Varma was close to regaining full fitness after abdominal surgery and was set to feature in a key simulation game ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Rising batting star Tilak Varma is nearing full fitness and is expected to take part in a simulation game at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The match will be a key step before he receives final clearance from the board, paving the way for his return to competitive cricket.
Tilak underwent abdominal surgery earlier this month, which had raised concerns over his availability for the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 8. However, his recovery has progressed well, and he is now close to making a comeback.
According to a report in The Times of India, the simulation game is scheduled to be held on Friday. Following this, the BCCI is expected to take a call on his fitness. If cleared, the top-order batter is likely to join the rest of India’s World Cup squad on February 3 for the warm-up matches.
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Tilak was earlier expected to rejoin the Indian team for the final two matches of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. However, the BCCI stated that despite resuming physical training, the batter required more time to regain “full match fitness”.
As a result, Shreyas Iyer was asked to remain with the squad for the remainder of the series. Meanwhile, all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is also part of India’s World Cup squad, is set to undergo a similar fitness test. Sundar is expected to play in a simulation game soon to prove his readiness.
He had suffered a rib injury while bowling against New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara earlier this month and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining white-ball matches, including two ODIs and five T20Is.
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