BCCI provides update on Tilak Varma's availability for NZ series, T20 World Cup post-surgery: 'He is ruled out of...'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India provided a key update on Tilak Varma’s availability for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand after the left-handed batter underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in Rajkot on Wednesday. A release issued by the board on Thursday evening confirmed that the Mumbai Indians star has been ruled out of the first three matches of the bilateral series.

Varma had been admitted to the Gokul Hospital, where he had been diagnosed with Testicular Torsion (sudden, intense pain) after undergoing scans was advised to undergo surgery immediately. The southpaw was discharged on Thursday morning and is scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday.

No replacement named by BCCI

The board added that a decision on his availability for the remaining matches against the Black Caps as well as next month’s T20 World Cup will be taken at a later date following an assessment of his progress during his “return-to-training and skill phases”.

“India batter Tilak Varma underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in Rajkot on Wednesday, 7 January. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning and is scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday. He is currently stable and progressing well,” read the statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

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“Tilak will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and wound healing is satisfactory.

“He is ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases,” it added.

The release, however, made no mention of a replacement for the Hyderabad batter, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee having previously named the same squad for the New Zealand series as well as the T20 World Cup.

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While he is yet to establish himself in ODIs, Tilak is an integral member of India’s T20I batting lineup whose availability is crucial to India’s title defence at the T20 World Cup that they’re co-hosting with Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.

Tilak had earlier starred in India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in September, helping the Men in Blue recover from a shaky start after being set 147 to win and helping them win their second continental title in the T20 format.