Are India missing Shreyas Iyer at No. 3 in T20 World Cup 2026?
(Courtesy : BCCI)
India picked Tilak Varma for the No. 3 position in T20Is.
Shreyas Iyer’s absence from India‘s T20I setup has been a topic of debate since late 2023, when he last featured in the format during the home series against Australia. Iyer, once a key middle-order enforcer, fell out of favour due to a combination of recurring injuries, inconsistent form, and stiff competition for spots.
A spleen injury in October 2025 sidelined Shreyas Iyer for months, and upon his return, he was overlooked for major tournaments like the Asia Cup 2025. Selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, cited the emergence of younger talents and the need for big-hitters in the shortest format.
Despite captaining Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in IPL 2024 and helping Punjab Kings reach their second final after a long gap, Iyer struggled to reclaim his T20I berth.
Iyer briefly re-entered the frame in January 2026 for the home T20I series against New Zealand, selected as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma in the first three matches.
His inclusion was extended for the full five-match series. However, he didn’t get a single opportunity to bat, warming the bench as India rotated other players in preparation for the T20 World Cup.
Is Shreyas Iyer’s absence hurting India in T20 World Cup 2026?
As India advance to the Super 8 round in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, questions linger over Tilak Varma, who has occupied the No. 3 position and shown promise but drawn criticism for his sluggish approach on subcontinent pitches that often grip and favor spin.
In four group-stage innings, Varma scored only 106 runs at a strike rate of 120.45, including 25 off 16 against USA, 25 off 21 versus Namibia, 25 off 24 against Pakistan, and 31 off 27 against Netherlands.
While providing stability after early losses, his inability to accelerate, especially against spinners (just one six in the tournament), has hampered momentum.
Varma’s inconsistency is evident as he plays dot balls on 58% of deliveries in the middle overs, failing to convert starts into match-winning knocks on tracks where quick scoring is crucial. The MI star’s approach also contrasts with India’s recent T20I template, which is to bat aggressively.
There is talk that if India needed an anchor, perhaps Shreyas Iyer would have been a better fit, especially given his ability to play spin. His ability to counter-attack could have elevated India’s scoring rate on venues like Kolkata or Colombo, where the ball does not come nicely onto the bat.
The pressure, therefore, is firmly on Tilak Varma to deliver for India in the remaining matches, else his place in the playing XI could potentially come under threat.
Why is Shreyas Iyer not part of India’s T20I setup?
Recurring injuries, inconsistent form, and increased competition for middle-order spots led selectors to move on from Iyer after 2023.
How has Tilak Varma performed at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup 2026?
He scored 106 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 120.45, offering stability but facing criticism for slow scoring.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.