Tilak Varma has been ruled out of first three matches of the upcoming five-T20I series against New Zealand, the BCCI confirmed on Thursday (January 8).

The southpaw, who was in Rajkot to represent Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, had to undergo emergency surgery on Wednesday (January 7). His availability for the remaining two T20Is against the Kiwis will depend on his recovery.

“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,” BCCI’s official release stated.

“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,” it added.

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma took to Instagram to share a positive update on his recovery. "Thank you for all the overwhelming love! Already on the road to recovery and I'll be back on the field sooner than you know it," he wrote.

Tilak, 23, has established himself as a key batter in India’s T20I setup. He played an instrumental role in the team’s Asia Cup triumph last September, with a match-winning knock of 69* (53 balls) in the title clash against Pakistan.