Shreyas Iyer comes in, as Tilak Varma undergoes a surgery ahead of New Zealand series starting from January 21. This will be last assignment for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side before the T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7.
The BCCI made two major inclusions in the Indian T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, starting from 21 January. The series come as last bilateral assignment for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side before the T20 World Cup 2026, which begin on February 7. The selector have brought Shreyas Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi as a replacement of injured Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar. Where Bishnoi has been picked up for the all matches, Shreyas comes in just for 3 matches.
“Indian batter Tilak Verma underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in the Rajkot on 7th January, he was detached from the hospital on Thursday morning and is scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday. he is currently stable and progressing well,” the BCCI had stated earlier.
“He is ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases.”
The scenario seems that the selection of a Iyer in middle order T20I batter like Verma may be seen as indication that the BCCI is keeping its option open for the World Cup If Tilak unable to regain full fitness in the time.
“Washington Sundar underwent scans after reporting acute discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11. This was followed by an in-person consultation with a specialist. He has been diagnosed with a side strain and advised rest for a few days, after which he will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) for further management of his injury,” the BCCI said in a release.
The all rounder has been ruled out of the upcoming IDFC First Bank TG into T20 I series against New Zealand. The men’s selection committee has named Ravi Bishnoi as a replacement. The committee has also added Shreyas Iyer to the T20I squad for the first three matches as a replacement for the injured Tilak Verma.
India’s updated T20I squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ravi Bishnoi
