Indian batter Tilak Varma has received medical clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence and is set to return to competitive action ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7. After being sidelined for nearly a month following testicular surgery, Tilak will feature in two warm-up matches as part of his preparation for the global tournament.

Tilak has been out of action since January after sustaining an injury during a Ranji Trophy fixture, which required surgery. According to ESPNCricinfo, the left-hander has been recovering at the Centre of Excellence and was making steady progress with his rehabilitation. A BCCI statement on January 26 had confirmed that his recovery was on track, paving the way for his return to match practice.

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As part of his comeback plan, Tilak will play for India A against the USA at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 2. He will then take part in India’s warm-up match against South Africa on February 4, which will serve as a crucial test ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Tilak was ruled out of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, during which Ishan Kishan took over the number three role and impressed with consistent performances, including a century. Despite this, Tilak remains a key figure in India’s plans for the World Cup, particularly at the top of the order.

In his T20 international career so far, Tilak has scored 1,183 runs in 40 matches and 37 innings at an outstanding average of 49.29, along with a strike rate of 144.09. His tally includes two centuries and six half-centuries. At number three, he has been especially effective, scoring 542 runs in 15 innings at an average of 60.22 and a strike rate of over 160, with two hundreds and three fifties, and a best score of 120 not out. His ability to balance stability and acceleration has often drawn comparisons to Virat Kohli’s batting style.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Washington Sundar, who also missed the New Zealand series, is expected to undergo a fitness test soon. Riyan Parag, who has been sidelined for around two months due to a shoulder injury, will also return to action through two India A warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup, including one against Namibia on February 6 in Bengaluru.

India have been placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. Their campaign will begin against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, while the much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15.

India will enter the tournament as defending champions, and a successful title defence would make them the first team to retain the T20 World Cup trophy. It would also mark India’s third T20 World Cup title, establishing them as the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad includes Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh.

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