Overview
- Pathan highlighted Varma’s No. 3/No. 4 role and his ability to absorb pressure, pointing to the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan as evidence.
- He cited Varma’s current T20I standing — third in the rankings with 567 runs in 20 matches at a 47.25 average and four half‑centuries — to argue for his importance.
- Varma will miss the opening three games of India’s five‑match T20I series versus New Zealand following emergency abdominal surgery.
- Pathan said India should consider Shreyas Iyer to cover the middle order for the New Zealand T20Is, noting Iyer’s experience and strengths against spin.
- With Suryakumar Yadav set to captain after Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s T20I retirements and Shubman Gill omitted from the squad, Varma’s fitness remains a key question for the February T20 World Cup.