Tilak Varma injury shakes Team India ahead of T20 World Cup; Is Devdutt Padikkal the ideal replacement?

With Tilak Varma ruled out for weeks after undergoing surgery, selectors face a crucial decision just four weeks before the T20 World Cup, as Devdutt Padikkal’s red-hot domestic form puts him firmly in contention.

Team India has suffered a major setback just four weeks before the T20 World Cup, with in-form batter Tilak Varma sidelined due to a serious injury that required surgery. The development has created concern within the Indian team management and selection committee at a crucial stage of preparation.

Tilak Varma, who was seen as a key middle-order batter for the upcoming T20 World Cup, sustained a testicular injury while representing Andhra Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Reports indicate that he experienced sudden pain and was immediately admitted to a private hospital. Medical scans later confirmed the severity of the injury.

Following consultations with specialists and the BCCI medical team, doctors advised immediate surgery. The procedure was successfully carried out in Rajkot. Doctors have recommended at least two weeks of complete rest, with Tilak expected to remain away from competitive cricket for a minimum of four weeks. The Hyderabad Cricket Association has formally informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar about the development.

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This timeline effectively rules Tilak Varma out of the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. More importantly, his availability for the T20 World Cup now remains uncertain. Even if he returns to the field after four weeks, achieving full match fitness could take additional time, making his participation in the global tournament doubtful.

Tilak’s absence has given the Indian team management a major headache. The left-handed batter had been in excellent form and played several match-winning knocks in recent tournaments, including the Asia Cup. His consistent performances against top sides like Australia and South Africa had cemented his role at No.3, making him a vital part of India’s batting core.

With Tilak likely to miss key assignments, attention has now shifted to possible replacements. One strong contender emerging is Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal. The left-hander has been in sensational form across domestic tournaments. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Padikkal has scored 620 runs in just seven innings at an outstanding average of 91.42. He also became the first cricketer to score more than 600 runs in three different Vijay Hazare Trophy seasons.

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In the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Padikkal joined the elite 600-run club with a 91-run knock off 82 balls against Rajasthan in Ahmedabad. He has already accumulated 605 runs this season, including back-to-back centuries, 147 against Jharkhand and 124 versus Kerala, before a modest score of 22 against Tamil Nadu.

Padikkal has also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 309 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 167.02, showcasing his adaptability to the T20 format. His experience in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals and his ability to provide a left-hand batting option further strengthen his case.

Selectors are expected to closely monitor Padikkal as a potential replacement for Tilak Varma, especially for the New Zealand series. Other players such as Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Riyan Parag are also in the mix, but Padikkal’s current form places him among the frontrunners.

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For now, Tilak Varma faces a race against time. As Team India finalises its plans for the T20 World Cup, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether he can recover in time, or whether a new face like Devdutt Padikkal will step into his role.