Tilak Varma Nearing Full Fitness, Reports to BCCI CoE Ahead of Potential T20I Return

Mumbai Indians batsman Tilak Varma is reportedly nearing full fitness and has reported to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) for a final assessment. The young middle-order star was initially ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand due to injury, but his recovery progress suggests he could potentially return to the squad for the fourth match of the series.

Varma’s fitness is crucial for India’s T20 World Cup preparations, where he is viewed as a vital component of the middle order. His potential return for the latter half of the New Zealand series would provide him with valuable match practice before the marquee tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

In the interim, Shreyas Iyer, who was India’s ODI vice-captain, has been added to the squad as cover for Varma. The management will be keen to see Varma regain his form quickly, given his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate in the middle overs, a skill set highly valued by the team.