India batter Tilak Varma is set to miss the opening two matches of India’s upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on January 21, after sustaining a groin injury. The setback comes just weeks ahead of a crucial white-ball season for India as preparations build toward the T20 World Cup.
It is understood that the 23-year-old Hyderabad batter underwent a minor medical procedure after experiencing pain in the groin region. Tilak was treated at a private hospital in Rajkot, where he was taking part in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 group-stage matches. While the injury is not believed to be serious, medical advice suggests he will require a short recovery period.
As a result, Tilak will miss the first two T20Is of the five-match series, scheduled to be played in Nagpur and Raipur. His availability for the remaining three games will be assessed closer to the fixtures, depending on how well he responds to treatment and rehabilitation.
“Tilak complained of some pain in the groin and was taken to the hospital for scans. The necessary treatment has been provided, but the recovery period could force him to miss two matches of the upcoming T20I series,” a team source confirmed.
The absence is a notable blow for India, given Tilak’s recent impact at the international level. He was a key figure in India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph, playing a decisive role in the final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. His performances had strengthened his case as a regular feature in India’s middle order in the shortest format.
Tilak had recently been in strong form at the domestic level as well. He was part of Hyderabad’s squad for their Group B encounters against Chandigarh and Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored his sixth List A century in the match against Chandigarh, though Hyderabad had already been eliminated from quarterfinal contention by that stage.
New Zealand’s tour of India forms part of a white-ball series designed to help both sides fine-tune combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. For Tilak, the focus will now be on regaining full fitness in time to feature later in the series and remain in contention for the global event.
