Tilak Varma Injury Adds to India’s Pre-Series Headaches

Tilak Varma, a middle-order batsman and hero of the Asia Cup final, is at risk of missing the T20I series against New Zealand due to an abdominal injury. This injury occurred while he was in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he experienced severe abdominal pain after breakfast on Wednesday. Following this, he was taken to a hospital in Rajkot for scans, and his medical reports were forwarded to doctors at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. Consequently, India may need to consider a replacement ahead of the series starting January 21 in Nagpur, although Shubman Gill, the team’s Test and ODI captain, is unlikely to be an option.

Doctors recommend surgery for the player, requiring three to four weeks for recovery, casting doubt on his participation in the T20I against New Zealand. India’s concern also extends to his availability for the T20 World Cup starting February 7, coinciding with their opening match against the USA.

Who will be chosen as the board’s replacement is intriguing. Gill, overlooked for recent series and the World Cup, is unlikely to be recalled by the selection committee and team management. There are concerns about him serving as a backup or not participating if Tilak recovers. A more probable candidate might be Riyan Parag from Assam, provided he recovers fully from his shoulder injury.

Shreyas Iyer, India’s ODI vice-captain, has been declared match fit by the COE medical team following his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 82 runs against Himachal Pradesh. He had previously suffered a spleen laceration during the Australia tour but batted without discomfort. Iyer has been included in the Indian ODI squad and will play his first ODI since August. Meanwhile, his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal will miss the last league game to join the national team in Vadodara.

Hardik Pandya will play for Baroda in their final league match against Chandigarh after scoring 133 against Vidarbha. He was rested for the New Zealand series to manage his workload ahead of the World Cup, and the COE has not cleared him to bowl 10 overs in a match.