Tilak Varma included in India A squad for T20 World Cup warm-ups

India A team, led by Badoni, will play two preparatory fixtures ahead of the tournament

Last updated: February 02, 2026 | 14:36

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

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India's Tilak Varma

AFP

Dubai: India have received a boost ahead of the T20 World Cup with Tilak Varma being named in the India A squad for the two warm-up matches. The left-hander has been cleared by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence following testicular surgery and will undergo a final assessment of his fitness and form before a potential return to the senior side.

The India A team, led by Ayush Badoni, will play two preparatory fixtures ahead of the tournament, which begins on Saturday. Varma will join the squad in Mumbai for the February 2 clash against the USA, followed by a game against South Africa on February 4. Both matches will be held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Varma has been sidelined from competitive cricket in recent weeks after a medical setback ruled him out of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. The 22-year-old was hospitalised earlier this month after experiencing acute testicular pain while representing Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Rajkot. He subsequently underwent a successful surgical procedure and has been recuperating at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.