Star player Tilak Varma has had to go through emergency surgery as he was found to be suffering from testicular torsion, a condition that usually leads to the loss of a testicle if not treated in time. The young player from India was in Rajkot, playing for his state team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025–26, when he complained of terrible pain on January 8.
Sources say that Tilak was quickly taken to Gokul Hospital in Rajkot, where tests verified the situation. The doctors were able to do the operation that day itself after advising an immediate one.
“Tilak felt excruciating pain in his tummy today (Wednesday). He was taken to a hospital in Rajkot, where different types of scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE,” a BCCI insider told the Indian Express.
“The doctors have recommended him to have surgery, and it will take him three to four weeks to recover fully. The chances of him playing in the entire T20I against New Zealand are quite low,” the report further stated.
While it is estimated that the recovery of Tilak Varma will take about three to four weeks, he is currently in a stable condition and is getting proper treatment.
India’s first match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from Group A is less than a month from now, and thus, Tilak’s recovery poses a greater challenge.
If he strictly adheres to the complete healing process post-surgery, then his presence in the opening game against the USA may be compromised.
India has got a major blow with the news of Tilak Varma’s surgery. Sports Tak reports that he is now almost completely out of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which is set to start on January 21.
“Abrupt Testicular Pain was reported by Tilak Varma in Rajkot where he is with the Hyderabad team for the Vijay Hazare tournament. He was moved to a private Hospital and on scanning was diagnosed with Testicular Torsion and was recommended to have immediate surgery. We consulted our specialists who concurred with the same. Tilak had successful surgery and is now recovering well,” the medical report acquired by Sports Tak said.
It should be pointed out that Chairman Ajit Agarkar has been updated on the emergency surgery of Tilak Varma and BCCI is now looking forward to the comprehensive medical updates.
As per sources, doctors will monitor Tilak’s recovery over the next few days and then announce the first step he will take back to cricket.
Tilak Varma’s T20 World Cup availability is uncertain
Moreover, the condition of Indian cricket has worsened in that his T20 World Cup 2026 participation, which was to begin on February 7, is now in serious doubt.
This injury could not have come at a worse time for Tilak. He has been a reliable T20 batter for India over the last year and was considered to be crucial for the World Cup plans.
Tilak was also making a strong impression in domestic cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he managed to score 143 runs in just two innings for Hyderabad, with an average of 71.50 and a strike rate of 87.73.
Who will take over Tilak Varma’s position?
Tilak Varma’s injury has turned the selection process into a dilemma for the Indian team management, particularly with the T20I series of five matches against New Zealand that starts on January 21 looming.
He was officially appointed to the position of India’s No.3 for the World Cup, thus making his mostly absence a severe drawback to the team’s overall strategy.
It is important to highlight that, as per the same sources, the BCCI is likely to reveal the name of Tilak Varma’s successor for the New Zealand series very shortly.
Among the most plausible alternatives is the option of Shubman Gill’s re-joining the T20I squad. Gill was removed from the team previously due to his poor performance in the shortest format.