T20 World Cup warm-up: Tilak Varma returns as India ‘A’ down USA

NAVI MUMBAI: Key batter Tilak Varma marked a successful return from injury with an allround performance as India ‘A’ defeated USA by 38 runs in a high-scoring warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Returning after a groin injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy that ruled him out of the home T20I series against New Zealand, Varma looked fully fit, scoring a fluent 38 off 24 balls (3x4, 2x6), picking up a wicket (1/27 in two overs) and taking two catches — including a sharp running effort at cover. Watched by around 5,000 spectators, the left-hander showed no signs of discomfort and will now link up with the Team India camp in Mumbai.Varma will get another hitout at the same venue when India face South Africa in a warm-up match on Wednesday ahead of their World Cup opener against USA at the Wankhede on Saturday.Mayank Yadav returns Meanwhile, fast bowler Mayank Yadav made his comeback after more than a year out with a stress fracture. The Delhi pacer, playing his first competitive match since turning out for Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, looked sharp but rusty, conceding 37 runs in three overs.Scores: India A 238/3 (Narayan Jagadeesan 104, Ayush Badoni 60*, Tilak Varma 38) beat USA 200 in 19.4 overs (Andries Gous 44, Sanjay Krishnamurthi 41; Ravi Bishnoi 3/37) by 38 runs.