Shreyas Iyer Retained for India vs New Zealand T20I Series as Tilak Varma Ruled Out with Injury

In a significant squad update, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Shreyas Iyer will remain with the Indian team for the final two T20 Internationals against New Zealand. The decision comes after Tilak Varma was officially ruled out of the ongoing five-match series.

Tilak Varma's Injury Update and Rehabilitation Progress

Tilak Varma, who was originally slated to be part of the T20I squad, has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. While he has resumed physical training and is making steady progress, the BCCI confirmed that he requires additional time to regain full match fitness.

The young batter is expected to link up with the Indian squad in Mumbai on 3rd February, ahead of India's warm-up match for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Sources close to the player have indicated he remains a "sure bet" for the marquee tournament.

Shreyas Iyer's Role in the Current Series

Iyer, who serves as vice-captain in ODIs, was initially named as Tilak's replacement for only the first three matches of the series. His retention for the Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram fixtures signals the selectors' confidence in maintaining squad stability.

Notably, Iyer is yet to feature in the playing XI during the current series and has not played a T20I since December 2023. His continued presence in the squad suggests the team management is keeping their options open as they build towards the World Cup.

Washington Sundar's Fitness Concerns Cloud World Cup Preparation

Adding to India's injury woes, Washington Sundar's availability for the T20 World Cup remains uncertain. The all-rounder has been sidelined since the first ODI against New Zealand in Baroda, after reporting acute discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling on January 11.

Following scans and an in-person consultation with an expert, Sundar was diagnosed with a side strain and has been advised rest. He will subsequently report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further injury management.

Sources close to Sundar suggest there is a possibility he could join the World Cup squad at a later stage, though much depends on the fitness assessment from the CoE.

Ravi Bishnoi Makes Strong Case for World Cup Inclusion

Ravi Bishnoi, who replaced Sundar in the T20I squad, made an immediate impact upon his return to the Indian team. The leg-spinner, making a comeback after almost a year, delivered impressive figures of 2 for 18 in four overs during Sunday's fixture in Guwahati.

With 43 T20I caps to his name, Bishnoi has demonstrated his value as a frontline spin option. Should Sundar be ruled out of the World Cup, the selectors are likely to persist with Bishnoi as his replacement.

Looking Ahead: India's World Cup Preparations

As India continues their T20I series against New Zealand, the team management faces critical decisions regarding squad composition for the T20 World Cup 2026. The next two matches in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram will provide valuable opportunities to assess player form and fitness.

With the warm-up match scheduled for early February, the countdown to the World Cup is firmly underway. The resolution of Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar's fitness situations will be crucial factors in finalizing India's tournament squad.