Indian cricket team's designated T20I number three batter, Tilak Varma, reported to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for comprehensive fitness assessments. This follows a minor abdominal surgery he underwent on January 7, 2026, after experiencing acute pain during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match. The surgery was for testicular torsion. Varma was consequently ruled out of the first three T20 Internationals against New Zealand, which commenced on January 21. Credible sources, including the Times of India, Zee News, and InsideSport, corroborate that Varma is making significant strides in his recovery. He is currently pain-free and has already commenced light physical training. Reports suggest he is expected to begin batting and other skill-based activities within a day or two. The 23-year-old left-hander is targeting a return to competitive cricket by the fourth T20I against New Zealand, scheduled for January 28 in Visakhapatnam. His expedited recovery is a significant boost for the Indian team, especially with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, looming large with its start date of February 7. While Varma was recovering, Shreyas Iyer was included in the squad as a temporary replacement for the initial matches against New Zealand, highlighting Varma's established position in the T20I setup. The successful rehabilitation and timely return of Tilak Varma are critical for India's middle-order stability and their preparations for the upcoming global tournament.