India batter Tilak Verma has been ruled out of the first three T20Is in the upcoming series starting from January 21. India is slated to play a limited-overs series with New Zealand in January.
Tilak underwent surgery for testicular torsion in Rajkot on Wednesday. So, he will be out for two or more weeks. His availability for the remaining matches will be assessed based on his progress during the recovery phase.
BCCI has confirmed that he was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning. He is now scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday. It was reported that he was stable and recovering well from the surgery.
BCCI also said that the star batter will resume training and skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and the wound is healed.
Tilak featured for Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match on Tuesday against Bengal. However, the injury to Tilak did not occur during the game. It is reported that he experienced pain later and was advised to seek medical attention immediately.
This injury to Tilak could also mean that he is unable to play for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. India is slated to play the USA in Mumbai on February 7. After that, they will take on Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15, and the Netherlands on February 18.
Tilak has been a key member of the Indian T20 team for a long time. In the last three months, he has played in the Asia Cup, Australia T20Is, and South Africa T20Is. Last year, he made 567 runs in 18 innings at an average of 47.25 and a strike rate of 129.15.
BCCI has not named a replacement for the five T20Is against New Zealand starting from January 21.
