Tilak Varma ruled out of the Remaining two T20Is against New Zealand as well (Image Credit:- X)

An injury has sidelined left handed batter Tilak Varma for the entire new Zealand series after missing first three T20Is.He underwent testicular surgery and is currently working towards regaining full match fitness. Shreyas Iyer, named as Tilak Varma’s replacement will remain with the team for the final two matches as well.

“Tilak Varma has resumed physical training and is making steady progress with his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. However, he will require additional time to regain full match fitness and will not be available for the final two T20Is of the ongoing five match T20I series. Tilak will link up with the squad in Mumbai once he has regained full match fitness on 03rd February, ahead of India’s warm up match for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” BCCI statement.

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In his absence, Ishan Kishan who batted at No.3 did a spectacular job in the second and third T20Is. This comes as a big boost for India, with Kishan already part of the World Cup squad.

Allrounder Washington Sundar’s availability for the World Cup, however still remains uncertain. Sundar injured his rib during the first ODI of the series, and the injury ruled him out of all subsequent matches. He is one of the main spin bowling all rounders selected by India for the World Cup.

“He has been diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised rest for a few days, following which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for further management of his injury,” BCCI said.

India squad for last two T20Is against NZ

Suryakumar Yadhav (c) , Axar Patel (vc) , Abhishek Sharma , Sanju Samson (wk) , Ishan Kishan (wk) , Shreyas Iyer , Hardik Pandya , Shivam Dube , Rinku Singh , Jasprit Bumrah , Harshit Rana , Arshdeep Singh , Kuldeep Yadhav, Varun Chakravarthy , Ravi Bishnoi.