IND vs NZ: Who will replace Tilak Varma at No. 3 in first T20I? Captain Suryakumar Yadav reveals
Shreyas Iyer was named as Verma’s replacement for the first three T20Is.
The India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) T20I series 2026, a crucial five-match home assignment beginning on January 21, 2026, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, serves as India’s final major preparation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
With the global tournament set to begin in early February, this series will provide captain Suryakumar Yadav and the selectors a crucial opportunity to test combinations, assess form, and finalise strategies in T20 conditions.
Ahead of this series, a major setback hit India’s plans when key middle-order batter Tilak Varma, the established No. 3 in the T20I setup and a standout performer, suffered an abdominal injury requiring surgery earlier this month during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The Mumbai Indians star batter has been ruled out of the first three T20Is, with hopes of a return for the final two matches as he recovers at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Ishan Kishan set to bat at No. 3 in first T20I
In the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav provided clarity on Tilak’s replacement and team combination for the upcoming T20I. Ishan Kishan will bat at No. 3 for the series opener against New Zealand.
“Ishan will bat at number 3 because he is part of our T20 World Cup team and he was picked in the squad first so it’s our responsibility to give him a chance. He hasn’t played for India for past one and half year and in the mean time consistently performed in domestic cricket.
Since he (Ishan) has been picked for World T20, he deserves to play ahead (of Shreyas). Had it been a question of batting slots Nos 4 or 5, it would have been a different question altogether. Unfortunately, Tilak isn’t there so Ishan is our best bet.”
Kishan, returning after 785 days, earned his spot through strong domestic showings, including topping the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy charts and leading Jharkhand to the title. His inclusion in the World Cup squad (replacing Shubman Gill for team balance) prioritized him over other options.
This decision means Shreyas Iyer, added as a temporary replacement for Tilak in the first three matches, will have to wait longer for a T20I return. Iyer, who last played a T20I in December 2023, has performed brilliantly in ODIs.
Shreyas has even served as vice-captain in that format, but the No. 3 spot in T20Is remains out of his reach. Surya spoke about the flexibility in the batting order and said that he could bat higher up if needed, but he emphasized that Ishan Kishan would be the best fit at number 3.
“We will see and if the situation demands that we have to send a right-hander (in case right hander Sanju Samson gets out), then, I will go in, otherwise Tilak (now injured) has been doing really well at number three.”
With Tilak’s eventual return looming, the wicketkeeper-batter spot adds intrigue. Sanju Samson is the primary option, but Kishan’s promotion as a fellow keeper could spark a battle for the role until Tilak re-enters the lineup.
Why is Tilak Varma not playing the first three T20Is?
Tilak Varma has been ruled out due to an abdominal injury that required surgery and is recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Who will bat at No. 3 for India in the first T20I?
Ishan Kishan will bat at No. 3, as confirmed by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
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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.