Tilak Varma set to miss opening two T20Is vs New Zealand due to groin injury

Indian batter Tilak Varma is set to miss the opening two matches of India’s T20I series against New Zealand, beginning on January 21, due to a groin injury.

Sportstar understands that the Hyderabad batter underwent a minor procedure after complaining of pain in the groin region. The 23-year-old was treated at a private hospital in Rajkot, where he was featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 group phase.

Tilak, who was India’s hero in the Asia Cup 2025 final triumph over arch-rival Pakistan, will miss the matches in Nagpur and Raipur. His participation in the remaining three games will be decided based on his recovery.

“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.

Tilak was part of Hyderabad’s squad for the two Group B encounters against Chandigarh and Bengal, scoring his sixth List A hundred in the first game. However, the team had already been eliminated from quarterfinal contention by then.

New Zealand is touring India for a white-ball series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Published on Jan 08, 2026