Indian team’s middle order batsman Tilak Verma has been ruled out of the ongoing 5-match T20 series against New Zealand. Tilak recently had to undergo testicular torsion surgery, due to which he was not selected for the first three matches of this series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed on Monday (January 26) that Tilak is not available even for the last two matches.

The board said that Tilak needs extra time to regain full match fitness. In his place, Shreyas Iyer, who was called for the first three matches, has been retained in the squad.

When will Tilak return?

BCCI said in its statement that Tilak has started physical training. He is undergoing rehabilitation at the Board’s Center of Excellence and his fitness is improving rapidly. After regaining full match fitness, he will join Team India in Mumbai on February 3 ahead of the warm-up match of the T20 World Cup 2026. According to the report of Cricbuzz, Team India is going to play a warm-match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on 4th February.

Will Shreyas Iyer get a chance?

Shreyas, who came in the squad in place of Tilak for the New Zealand series, had to remain on the bench in the first three matches. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had already said before the opening match of the series that Ishan Kishan is in the T20 World Cup squad. Therefore, Ishaan will be fed and not Shreyas. After failing in the first match, Ishaan has batted brilliantly in the next two matches.

After the continuous flops of Sanju Samson, there is speculation about bringing Ishaan to the opening slot. It remains to be seen whether the team management tries him in this position for the last two matches against New Zealand or not. If Ishaan is sent to open, then Shreyas can get a place in the playing XI.

India’s squad for New Zealand T20 series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprat Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakraborty, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi.