Overview
- Irfan Pathan said Tilak Varma now performs India’s pressure-absorbing middle-order role once associated with Virat Kohli, citing his Asia Cup 2025 final innings against Pakistan.
- Varma has been ruled out of the opening three matches versus New Zealand after an emergency abdominal procedure, with his short-term availability under watch.
- Pathan recommended drafting Shreyas Iyer for the early T20Is, arguing the experienced middle-order batter’s spin play and leadership suit the vacancy.
- Suryakumar Yadav will captain India at the 2026 T20 World Cup following the T20I retirements of Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with selectors weighing contingency options.
- Varma’s recent form underpins his importance: 567 runs in 20 T20Is at an average of 47.25, four fifties, and a current No. 3 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings.