In a positive update for Team India, Tilak Varma looked in fine touch against the United States of America (USA) in the second T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match. Less than a month ago, on January 7, the 23-year-old had to be rushed to the Gokul Hospital in Rajkot, where he was diagnosed with testicular torsion and underwent emergency surgery.
Tilak had made a quick recovery and was cleared to return to competitive cricket by the Centre of Excellence (CoE) just yesterday. The very next day, he played an impressive 38-run knock at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Preparing for the T20 World Cup, Tilak came into the middle in the 5th over against the USA, at his regular number three spot in Team India.
Tilak Varma impresses in USA warm-up match
The southpaw batter from Hyderabad was slow off the blocks. In his first 8 balls, Tilak scored just 10 runs. But in the 9th over, he broke free. He took Harmeet Singh down, a positive match-up for him as a left-arm orthodox spinner. He first cut Harmeet through the covers. Then followed it up with a six over long off and a reverse sweep four towards deep square leg.
For the next couple of overs, Tilak rotated strike as wicketkeeper batter N Jagadeesan was going all guns blazing. In the 13th over, Tilak once again targeted a left-arm spinner. This time it was Nosthush Kenjige. He smashed him down the ground, over long-off, for another six.
Just as he was gaining form, Shubham Ranjane bounced him out. The right-arm fast bowler delivered a short ball down leg, which Tilak gloved to USA’s wicketkeeper, Andries Gous. The 38-run innings, 3 fours, 2 sixes, and strike rate of 158.33, was a massive positive for Tilak and Team India. He looked at ease, with no visible discomfort.
Tilak is expected to play India’s only warm-up match before the T20 World Cup against South Africa at the same venue on February 4. But he won’t feature in India A’s second warm-up game against Namibia. This should be enough practice for him, as India starts their campaign against the USA on February 7.
India & India A’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up schedule
| Date | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2 | India A vs USA | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | 5:00 PM |
| February 4 | India vs South Africa | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| February 6 | India A vs Namibia | CoE, Bengaluru | 5:00 PM |
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