Shreyas Iyer Gets Extended Run in India Squad as Tilak Varma’s Recovery is Delayed

Shreyas Iyer has been granted an extended stay in the Indian T20I squad for the remainder of the series against New Zealand, following a delay in Tilak Varma’s return from injury. The BCCI confirmed that Varma, who underwent surgery for an abdominal issue, requires additional time to achieve full match fitness and will miss the final two fixtures.

This development provides a crucial opportunity for Iyer, who was initially named as Varma’s replacement only for the first three games. With the T20 World Cup rapidly approaching, the team management is keen to give Iyer a fair chance to prove his credentials in the shortest format, especially as India looks to finalize its middle-order combinations. Iyer’s continued presence allows the selectors to assess his form under match conditions.

While Varma is expected to link up with the squad in Mumbai on February 3 ahead of the World Cup warm-up fixtures, Iyer’s extended run ensures the team maintains stability while simultaneously testing its bench strength in the already-clinched series. This decision underscores the management's priority of ensuring all key personnel are fully prepared for the demands of the global tournament.