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India batter Tilak Varma walked off the field after appearing to hurt his knee during the ongoing T20I against New Zealand. The incident took place in the third over when Varma slipped while attempting to stop the ball and throw it back towards the wicketkeeper.
The incident happened on the second ball of the over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Finn Allen. Allen tapped a back-of-a-length delivery towards cover and set off for a quick single. Varma moved in to collect the ball but slipped while trying to make the throw, failing to hit the target.
Varma appeared to have trouble with his knee after the slide and was seen walking off the field. Kushagra came on as his substitute.
Tilak Varma Injury: How Did It Happen?
The injury scare came while India were trying to keep New Zealand’s batters under pressure in the powerplay. Allen and Daryl Mitchell were quick to take the single, while Varma’s slip during the fielding effort left the Indian camp concerned.
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There was no immediate indication that the injury was serious, although further updates would be needed to confirm his condition. His return to the field will be closely watched as the match progresses.
Tilak Varma’s Form In The New Zealand T20I Series
Varma’s injury scare comes after contrasting performances in the first two matches of the series.
He struggled in the opening T20I, scoring just six runs off 11 balls after being promoted to No. 3 in India’s chase of 226. Michael Bracewell dismissed him cheaply as India failed to complete the chase.
The left-hander bounced back strongly in the second T20I, however, scoring an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls. India were in trouble at 112/6 while chasing 181, but Varma took the attack to the opposition and helped turn the match around.
He struck six fours and a six and shared an unbeaten 69-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy for the seventh wicket. Their stand guided India to a thrilling four-wicket win with one ball remaining, earning Varma the Player of the Match award. India will hope the knee issue is only a minor concern and that Varma can return to action soon.
IND vs NZ 3rd T20I
Earlier, India captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl in the third T20I and the Men in Blue featured with the same team that faced New Zealand in the second T20I.