With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 coming closer there is a huge blow for the Indian team as Tilak Varma to undergo Surgery. He will most likely miss the T20I series against the New Zealand team, and the question is now whether he also miss the Tilak Varma to undergo Surgery: Will he miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026? Basically, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts on the 7th of February with India playing their first match on the opening day against the United States of America at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India had announced their squad for the five-match New Zealand T20I series and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in December 2025, as Tilak Varma was a part of the squad. It was also confirmed by the Indian T20 format captain that Tilak Varma will bat at the number three position for the Indian team, as he has earned his place playing brilliantly in the previous matches.
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Tilak Varma to undergo Surgery: Will he miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Basically, Tilak Varma is all set to undergo Groin/Lower Surgery just a month before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to TOI, he is going to miss the five-match T20I series against the New Zealand team. When we look at this surgery, it almost takes three weeks for a player to be fully fit, and with this scenario, it is less likely that the BCCI would want to rush Tilak Varma make him play the last match of the T20I series, which is set to take place on 31st January 2026 at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Now the biggest question is who will replace him in the Indian squad for the New Zealand T20I series. Shreyas Iyer has already made a comeback and is currently playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was also named in the Indian ODI squad against New Zealand, and his availability is subject to his fitness. There is also Shubman Gill, whose name is revolving around, but it is unlikely that he will get a place in the team. If Shreyas Iyer also does not play, then we can see Gill get a place in the team.
If Tilak Varma does not make it to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, then he will surely be the biggest miss for the Indian team. He was also India’s hero in the Asia Cup 2025 final as his knock played Indian defeat their arch rivals Pakistan in the final. India would hope that Tilak Varma recovers, as he perfectly fits in the middle order, who can change his game style as per the game’s situation, and with Suryakumar Yadav’s form not convincing, Tilak Varma is much needed.