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Tilak Varma last played a T20I match for India on December 19, 2025, against South Africa in Ahmedabad and scored a half-century in that fixture.
Suryakumar Yadav gives big update on Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar’s availability for T20 World Cup 2026. (Picture Credit: PTI)
India‘s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav on Saturday (January 31) shared a positive update about Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar‘s availability for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. While chatting with reporters within the post-match press conference after India crushed Latest Zealand by 46 runs to win the fifth T20I match at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Surya said that he spoke with each the players yesterday (Friday, January 30) and added that they’re shaping well.
In response to the Indian captain, Tilak would join the team next week in Mumbai and play the 2 practice matches.
“Tilak Verma…he has been shaping well. I heard he’s playing two games in Bombay (Mumbai) on the 2nd and the 4th. I believe two games are enough. I spoke to him yesterday only,” Surya said.
“He has began batting, bowling, fielding and the whole lot. So, hopefully, we must always have him soon,” he added.
When asked about all-rounder Washington Sundar, who’s recovering from a rib injury, Surya said that Sundar has been doing his rehabilitation well.
“I believe Washy can be doing well. We spoke to each of them (Tilak and Washington) yesterday. Tilak is a lot better. Washy has almost began his bowling and batting. He can be looking good. Hopefully, we get him back soon,” he added.
Unlike Tilak, Sundar played one match for India in the house series against Latest Zealand. He was a part of India’s playing XI in the primary ODI against the Black Caps in Vadodara on January 11. He suffered a rib injury while bowling in that fixture, but despite that, he got here out to bat for India within the 300-run chase and, along with KL Rahul, helped the hosts seal the deal.
Ishan or Sanju – who shall be India’s WK batter?
Within the five-match T20I series against Latest Zealand, Sanju Samson played as wicketkeeper-batter for India in the primary 4 matches, but within the fifth one, Ishan Kishan kept the gloves. Ishan donning the role of stumper within the fifth T20I was seen as a sign of him getting a likelihood over Sanju as wicketkeeper-batter within the T20 World Cup. But based on Surya, the choice to separate wicketkeeping duties between Samson and Ishan for the Latest Zealand series was taken well prematurely.
Thiruvananthapuram, India, India
February 01, 2026, 07:43 IST
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