Cricket enthusiasts, take note: Tilak Varma is set to make waves ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The promising left-hander will feature for India A in crucial warm-up games before linking up with the senior team. First up is USA on Monday, then Namibia on Friday, paving the way for India’s February 7 opener.
Recovering from lower abdominal surgery in Rajkot earlier this month, Varma rehabbed at BCCI’s Bengaluru COE. Cleared after a sim game last Friday, he skipped recent New Zealand T20s to focus on World Cup form. Ayush Badoni captains the India A outfit, blending youth and experience.
Standouts include IPL-proven Riyan Parag, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, and the pace sensation Mayank Yadav. The full roster features Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, plus keepers N Jagadeesan and Urvil Patel.
Mayank’s comeback steals the spotlight. A stress fracture forced him out of LSG’s IPL 2025, followed by surgery in New Zealand. Riyan Parag shakes off a shoulder niggle post-COE recovery. Behind the scenes, Venkata Ramana heads coaching, with Vineet Saxena on batting and Avinash Khandelwal on fields.
Squad list: Ayush Badoni (c), Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, N Jagadeesan (wk), Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Urvil Patel (wk), Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav.
These encounters aren’t just practice—they’re a launchpad for India’s global ambitions, with Varma poised to shine.