Shreyas Iyer Extends T20I Stay as Tilak Varma’s Recovery Continues

In a strategic shift for the final leg of the India vs. New Zealand T20I series, Shreyas Iyer will remain with the squad for the fourth and fifth matches. Originally drafted only for the first three games as injury cover, Iyer’s stay has been extended following a cautious approach by the BCCI regarding Tilak Varma’s return.

The Tilak Varma Update

Tilak Varma, who recently underwent surgery for an abdominal issue (testicular torsion), is currently at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE).

The Status: While Varma is reportedly pain-free and has resumed physical training, the medical team is unwilling to rush him back into competitive action.
The Goal: With the 2026 T20 World Cup set to begin on February 7, the priority is ensuring Varma is 100% fit for the global tournament rather than risking a setback in the final two bilateral games.
Comeback Plan: Varma may still feature in the World Cup preparation/warm-up matches in Mumbai (likely against South Africa on Feb 4) if he misses the final T20I.

Shreyas Iyer’s Opportunity

Iyer’s inclusion marks a significant return to the T20I setup after nearly two years. Despite being in the squad for the first three matches, he was benched as the management opted for Ishan Kishan at No. 3 to give the World Cup-bound keeper more game time.

Remaining Fixtures: With India already leading the series 3-0, Iyer may finally get a look-in for the remaining matches in Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Remaining Series Schedule

India has already secured the series, but the final two games serve as critical data points for World Cup combinations.

Match	Date	Venue	Time (IST)
4th T20I	Jan 28, Wednesday	ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam	7:00 PM
5th T20I	Jan 31, Saturday	Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram	7:00 PM