India vs New Zealand T20Is: Indian batter Tilak Varma on Thursday ruled out of the first three T20I matches against New Zealand after undergoing surgery for a groin issue that triggered acute pain.
After undergoing surgery, Tilak has issued an injury update to his fans, assuring them that he is on the road to recovery.
The 23-year-old was taken to a hospital after complaining of acute Testicular Pain in Rajkot, where he is with the Hyderabad team for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy One-day Championship.
Taking to his Instagram stories, Tilak posted his update, assuring fans that he will be on the field soon.
"Thank you for all the overwhelming love! Already on the road to recovery, and I'll be on the field sooner than you know it," Tilak wrote on his Instagram story.
The injury also puts a big grey cloud over his participation in next month's T20 World Cup.
"India batter Tilak Varma underwent surgery for an abdominal issue in Rajkot on Wednesday, 7 January. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning and is scheduled to fly back to Hyderabad on Friday. He is currently stable and progressing well," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday said in a statement.
"Tilak will resume physical training and gradually return to skill-based activities once his symptoms have fully resolved and wound healing is satisfactory. He is ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand. His availability for the remaining two matches will be assessed based on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases," the board added.
ALSO READ: BCB Sends Second Letter To ICC Flagging Security Concerns Over Travel To India: Report
The fourth and fifth games between India and New Zealand will be played on January 28 and 31, respectively.
Currently holding a third place in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, he has been a crucial cog in India's middle order and has also been included in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.