Tilak Varma has received clearance to return to competitive cricket from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE).On January 7, doctors rushed the 23-year-old to Gokul Hospital in Rajkot, where they diagnosed him with testicular torsion and performed emergency surgery.

 

Tilak missed all games of the India versus New Zealand ODI and T20I series after the incident. The T20 World Cup 2026 still had not determined whether he would be available. But according to ESPNcricinfo he has now obtained his return to play authorization.

 

Tilak was initially scheduled to play in India’s only warm-up game against South Africa which would take place on February 4 at DY Patil Stadium located in Navi Mumbai. His appearance will not be limited to that event. The BCCI requires the young batter to participate in one match for India ‘A’ team.'

 

Tilak will arrive in Mumbai before his scheduled February 3 arrival to join India's main team. He will compete in the India 'A' match against the USA which is set to take place on February 2 in Navi Mumbai.

 

The current situation shows that Washington Sundar's recovery progress does not have any new information. He is expected to undergo a fitness examination on February 4. The CoE and BCCI will determine their upcoming course of action after that.

 

Riyan Parag has emerged as a potential replacement for Sundar. The all-rounder has also dealt with injury issues, but he has been cleared to play, similar to Tilak. Parag will represent India 'A' in both matches. The BCCI can add Parag to India' T20 World Cup squad if Sundar cannot recover in time.

  India & India A’s T20 World Cup warm-up schedule:

 

Date Teams Venue Local Time (IST)

February 2	India A vs USA	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	5:00 PM
February 4	India vs South Africa	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	7:00 PM
February 6	India A vs Namibia	CoE, Bengaluru	5:00 PM