India’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup suffered a major setback with Tilak Verma suffering an abdominal injury ahead of the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand. The left-handed batsman is an important player for the Indian cricket team in the shorter formats and his injury is a major concern.
India will take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting on January 21. This will be their last competitive match before defending their title in the T20 World Cup 2026. The selectors have already named the 15-man squad for the World Cup, in which Tilak has been included and he is expected to feature in the playing eleven.
India’s T20 World Cup preparations are in jeopardy due to Tilak Verma’s injury.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Tilak Verma has suffered an abdominal injury, due to which he may be ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand. His possible absence comes at a worrying time, with the T20 World Cup just a month away.
The 23-year-old left-hander was representing Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Rajkot when he started having stomach pain after breakfast on Wednesday morning. The discomfort soon intensified, requiring immediate medical attention.
Tilak Verma was taken to the hospital, where doctors conducted a scan to assess the severity of the injury. The medical report was later sent to experts at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru for further evaluation.
Tilak Verma is a key figure in India’s middle-order, his injury has caused concern in the camp and has slightly disrupted the team’s plans ahead of important upcoming assignments.
Tilak Verma advised to undergo surgery, likely to be out for three to four weeks
Tilak Verma has been advised to undergo surgery, due to which he may have to be out of action for three to four weeks. He is expected to miss the entire T20 series against New Zealand and his availability for the initial phase of the T20 World Cup remains uncertain.
India’s team management may soon announce a replacement for the New Zealand series. However, Shubman Gill, who was not selected in the World Cup squad, is unlikely to be considered as a replacement. Riyan Parag is being seen as the primary replacement for Verma, and Shreyas Iyer is also in the running.
“Tilak suffered severe stomach pain today (Wednesday). He was taken to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were conducted, and reports were sent to doctors at the CoE.
A BCCI source said, “Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take him three to four weeks to recover. His chances of playing the full T20 match against New Zealand look slim.”
Shreyas Iyer becomes fit before New Zealand ODI series
Shreyas Iyer has been cleared to be fit ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand. After recovering from a spleen injury sustained during the tour of Australia in October and undergoing a minor procedure, he returned in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He scored runs while playing for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh. Scored 82 runs off 53 balls and showed no signs of trouble. He is also going to participate in the last league match of Mumbai today. Bengaluru’s Center of Excellence has now officially declared him match fit, clearing the final hurdle for his return to the Indian team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will skip Mumbai’s last league game to join the national team in Vadodara. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is set to play for Baroda in their final Vijay Hazare Trophy league match against Chandigarh today, although he is yet to get the clearance to bowl a full 10-over spell.
Also read: Absolute madness! Virat Kohli was surrounded by fans when he reached Vadodara before the first ODI against New Zealand.
