Why Tilak Varma is Not Playing Today

Why Tilak Varma is Not Playing Today in IND vs NZ 1st T20I?

Sportsdunia Desk

Modified - Jan 21, 2026, 02:25 PM

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After a humiliating 1-2 loss in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand at home, the Indian team is back in action. India and New Zealand are playing against each other in the first match of the five-match T20I series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.

The series is seen as a preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, in the much-awaited IND vs NZ 1st T20I, the Men in Blue will miss the services of their star batter Tilak Varma, who is one of the stable batting options in the middle order.

Why Tilak Varma is Not Playing Today?

The star left-handed batter, Tilak Varma, was ruled out of the first three matches of the India vs New Zealand T20I series. Tilak faced an injury during the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, after which he had to undergo testicular torsion surgery. Shreyas Iyer was named as Tilak Varma replacement.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav announced at the press conference on the match eve that Ishan Kishan will be included in the playing XI for the first T20I as Tilak Varma's replacement. Suryakumar also explained the decision, stating that Kishan is a like-for-like replacement of Tilak and is also a part of India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. It is the reason why Kishan was picked ahead of Shreyas Iyer for this game.

"Ishan will bat at number 3 because he is a part of our T20 World Cup team and he was picked in the squad first so it's our responsibility to give him a chance." Suryakumar Yadav had said during the press conference a day prior to the 1st T20I.

Tilak Varma's Injury Updates

Tilak Varma has been a key contributor in India's major wins in recent times. The young batter helped India beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup final last year and proved why he is among the best T20 batsmen in the world. Considering his match-winning abilities, it's a major concern for the Indian team regarding his injury. However, just ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian team have received a great update regarding Tilak's recovery.

Several reports have claimed that Tilak isn't feeling any pain now and will travel to the BCCI CoE for a fitness Test and other major assessments.

"If everything goes well, he will be fit before the fourth T20I on January 28 in Vishakhapatnam. He has resumed physical training and, in a day or two, will start batting and other skill-based activities," a source was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Ishan Kishan, one of the best wicketkeepers in India, has a great opportunity to perform before Tilak gets fit and comes back into the playing XI in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. He failed to score big in the first game but still has a chance to make it count in the upcoming matches.