In a major blow to India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 preparation, middle-order batter Tilak Varma sustained an injury during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Although the injury is not serious, he is expected to miss the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which is slated to start on January 21 in Nagpur.

With the likes of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, both capable of playing in the middle-order, already in the squad, the selectors will need to add a player to the squad as the replacement for the Hyderabad batter. As Tilak remains sidelined from the New Zealand series, and a potential threat to the T20 World Cup as well, CricTracker has a look at players who can be a like-for-like replacement for the cricketer. 

Here are 3 players who can replace Tilak Varma in India T20I team 3. Devdutt Padikkal Devdutt Padikkal. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Devdutt Padikkal has been in fine form across formats in domestic cricket, notably in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Karnataka batter so far has scored a staggering 620 runs in just 7 innings at an average of 91.42.

Even in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was in fine touch, scoring 309 runs in 6 matches at an impressive strike rate of 167.02.

The selectors will be looking at the Karnataka batter as a potential replacement for the injured youngster for the series against the BlackCaps, considering his strong form, and someone who also provides a left-hand batting option.

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruturaj Gaikwad (Photo Source: abhay singh/X)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has also been in great form in domestic cricket, playing for Maharashtra, and can be looked at as Tilak’s replacement.

The 28-year-old has proven his mettle in the international arena previously as well, and is a great option to have, considering his adaptive style of play. More suited as an opener, Gaikwad has batted below in IPL as well, where he represents Chennai Super Kings.

For the unversed, Gaikwad was dropped from India’s ODI squad against New Zealand despite an impressive in the recently concluded series against South Africa. But now, he can make a surprising comeback into the Men in Blue squad for the T20I leg.

1. Shreyas Iyer Shreyas Iyer (Source : BCCI on X)

One big name that can come back into India’s T20 squad is Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter has been declared fit to play and marked his return to the field with a solid knock of 82 off 53 balls for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. 

Iyer, an IPL-winning captain, has been off the selectors' radar in the shortest format of the game. He played his last T20I way back in December 2023, but could make his surprise entry into the team following Tilak Varma's injury, considering he also brings leadership experience along with a strong resume as an IPL captain.