IPL 2026: How MI batter Tilak Varma roared back against RCB after Near Fatal Experience with Disease

Add as a preferred source on Google

As the Mumbai Indians gear up to host the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second match of IPL 2026, eyes will be on their star-studded lineup.

Amid the glitter of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and co, a player who has prominently made his mark is Tilak Varma.

The young left-hander has emerged as a vital cog in MI's middle order, bringing composure and firepower under pressure. With Hardik Pandya's side aiming to end a five-year title drought, Varma's form could prove decisive in a high-stakes clash against a KKR outfit dealing with bowling concerns.

The 23-year-old has been in fine touch for Mumbai Indians in recent seasons and remains a key member of India's T20 setup. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak showed flashes of his potential with a steady approach in the middle order.

Tilak Varma rose to prominence after his impressive IPL debut in 2022 for Mumbai Indians. However, immediately after that breakthrough season, he faced a life-threatening health scare that nearly ended his career.

Tilak Varma shared his Horrific Diagnosis!

During a recent appearance on the Breakfast with Champions podcast, Tilak opened up about being diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition where damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly, releasing harmful substances like myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to severe muscle pain, weakness, dark urine, and potentially fatal kidney damage if not treated promptly.

The overstraining took a toll during India A's tour of Bangladesh in late 2022. After scoring 33 off 101 deliveries in the first unofficial Test, Tilak's hand became stiff. "The gloves had to be cut off as I couldn't move my fingers." Akash Ambani from the MI management stepped in swiftly, coordinating with the BCCI to ensure immediate hospitalization.

Thankfully, with timely medical intervention, he made a full recovery. His comeback in the IPL 2023 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was spectacular - an explosive 84 off 46 balls at the Chinnaswamy Stadium that announced his resurgence.

Tilak's journey from that near-fatal ordeal to starring in India's Asia Cup 2025 triumph, where his unbeaten 69 off 53 balls in the final against Pakistan earned him Player of the Match, highlights remarkable resilience. And the southpaw played his part in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph as well.