Promising batting talent Tilak Varma is close to regaining full fitness and is set to feature in a simulation game at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. A successful outing is expected to earn him medical clearance from the board, clearing the path for his return. Tilak recently underwent abdominal surgery during the recently concluded 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, which had cast uncertainty over his participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 8. As per a report by The Times of India, the simulation game is scheduled for Friday, after which the BCCI is expected to grant Tilak Varma his fitness clearance. The top-order batter is likely to join the rest of India’s World Cup squad on February 3 ahead of the warm-up matches. Tilak was initially set to rejoin India’s squad for the final two matches of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. However BCCI decided not to rush with his recovery. The board clarified that although he had resumed physical training, the batter would require additional time to achieve “full match fitness.” As a result, Shreyas Iyer has been asked to stay with the squad for the remainder of the series. And this has stirred controversies. Critics like Akash Chopra questioned the reasoning behind keeping someone as experienced as Shreyas Iyer in the bench and not playing him in any of the T20Is against New Zealand. Also Read | Virat Kohli comes back to Instagram; Deactivation reason yet unclear Meanwhile, injured all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is also named in the World Cup squad, is set to feature in a simulation game soon to demonstrate his fitness. Sundar sustained a rib injury while bowling against New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara earlier this month, which led to him being ruled out of the remaining white-ball fixtures against the visitors, including two ODIs and five T20Is. Even though he is not expected to play in the tournament's first match against USA, on February 7, he is expected to be back for the rest. Read Also | Will PCB Skip T20 World Cup Final vs India? Ex-Pakistan Captain Says “Nahi Khelenge” Mayank, Parag Regain Fitness Right-arm pacer Mayank Yadav has also reportedly returned to full fitness and is set to turn out for India A in the T20 World Cup warm-up games. The fast bowler had been sidelined for a considerable period while recovering from a stress fracture. Batter Riyan Parag, who has been recuperating from a shoulder injury, is also likely to feature in the simulation game scheduled for Friday in Bengaluru.