Many expected India to suffer in the shortest format of the game during the transitional phase that the squad was going through. However, there was one man who never let that happen, Tilak Varma. His Kohli-esque batting mentality of taking India over the finish line ensured that the Men in Blue never faltered from the retirements of senior players.

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So when the top-order batsman got injured just months before the 2026 T20 World Cup, it was a huge blow to the side. An unexpected testicular torsion injury that required immediate surgery put the Hyderabad batter's participation in the World Cup in doubt.

The top scorer of the India vs South Africa T20I series, with 187 runs last year, scored 109 and 34 in the two Vijay Hazare Matches he participated in to prepare for the India vs New Zealand series before he suffered the unfortunate injury.

Tilak Varma shares rehab Videos and Photos

However, in a fantastic turn of events, Tilak recently took to Instagram to show that his recovery is going better than expected. In a carousel post on Instagram, Tilak shared videos and photos from his rehab process at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The post was captioned, "Leaving no stone unturned, comeback", indicating the 23-year-old's strong desire to make his return to the side ahead of the pivotal World Cup.

With India's middle order being the weakest link of the batting order in T20Is, Tilak Varma's participation in the T20 World Cup could be the X-factor in the World Champions defending their title.

Tilak Varma: The T20I Specialist

Tilak isn’t just adding runs; he is the engine of this batting lineup. With 1,183 runs at an average nearing 50, he brings a rare dependability to the crease. He is particularly lethal at number three, averaging over 60 with a strike rate past 160, where he seemingly knows exactly when to consolidate and when to pull the trigger.

That adaptability is his biggest weapon. Whether it was dominating in South Africa with twin centuries or keeping his head to guide the team home against Pakistan in a high-pressure Asia Cup chase, he delivers when it counts. Even at number four, he averages a solid 54, making Tilak Varma the versatile backbone the defending champions simply cannot afford to lose.