Why BCCI picked Shreyas Iyer over Shubman Gill as Tilak's replacement for IND vs NZ T20Is

Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]

In the latest development, India batter Tilak Varma was ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand, starting January 21. As his replacement, Shreyas Iyer, who recently returned after a long injury layoff, was added to the squad. 

However, Shubman Gill, India’s ODI captain and Test vice-captain, was once again ignored by the Team India management and BCCI selectors.

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Shubman Gill's exclusion raised eyebrows

This decision raised several eyebrows, especially since Shubman Gill was part of India’s T20 plans during the India vs South Africa series played in December 2025. His omission from not only the New Zealand T20I squad but also from the larger T20 World Cup 2026 frame has led to questions about his role and future in the shortest format.

However, the issue does not revolve around Gill’s credibility or talent as a batter. Instead, it is more about suitability and adaptability in T20 cricket, where Shreyas Iyer currently offers more value for the role Tilak Varma was expected to play.

Let us look at the most probable reasons why the Board of Control for Cricket in India ignored Shubman Gill and picked Shreyas Iyer instead as Tilak Varma’s replacement.

1) Shreyas Iyer is a better No. 3 than Shubman Gill

The first and most obvious reason is Gill’s suitability as a T20I batter. Tilak Varma primarily bats at No. 3 in T20Is and boasts an impressive average of 60.22 in that position. 

Shubman Gill, on the other hand, has played only as an opener in T20Is and has not been an aggressive anchor. His numbers reflect this limitation, as he averages just 28.03 from 36 T20I matches at the top of the order.

Shreyas Iyer, in contrast, is a natural No. 3 batter. He has featured in 19 T20Is at that position and averages 35.33. While this figure does not match Tilak Varma’s numbers, Iyer remains the closest and most suitable like-for-like replacement, making him a better option than Gill in the current setup.

[Shreyas Iyer stats at No. 3 in T20Is and IPL]

Overall, Shreyas Iyer has played 47 T20Is, scoring eight half-centuries at an average of 30.67 and a strike rate of 136.13. His effectiveness at No. 3 is also well established in the IPL, where he has played 61 matches in that position, averaging 33.41 with a strike rate of 135.03.

2) Benching Shubman Gill After T20I inclusion is 'an image to avoid'

The second reason behind Shubman Gill’s omission relates to performance consistency and team balance. Gill’s T20I record as an opener has been underwhelming. He averages only 28.03, with his performances often fluctuating sharply between series.

During the 2023–24 South Africa tour, Gill endured one of his worst T20I series, averaging just 4 across two matches. In the 2025 India vs South Africa T20I series, he managed only 32 runs from three games at an average of 10.67. His Asia Cup numbers were also modest, averaging 21.17 across seven matches.

[Shubman Gill stats in T20Is]

These numbers suggest that Gill’s batting style does not fully align with the aggressive demands of modern T20 cricket. 

Moreover, selecting him as Tilak Varma’s replacement would have forced multiple changes in the batting order. Sanju Samson might have been pushed down the order, potentially affecting his natural game, while Suryakumar Yadav could also have been forced into an unfamiliar role.

Moreover, selecting Gill would almost mandate playing him, as benching a marquee player and team poster boy would raise further questions and complicate team dynamics.

3) Shreyas Iyer deserved an India T20I callback

On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer fully deserves his return to India’s T20I setup. He was dropped after the India vs Australia series in 2023–24 due to poor form, but his game has seen a significant transformation since then. 

While his career T20I strike rate stands at 136.13, his earlier years were marked by inconsistent scoring rates ranging fro 110 to 140s with exceptions seeing 180+ strike rates.

[Shreyas Iyer stat comparison]

Since being dropped, Iyer has worked extensively on his game, especially in the IPL circuit. In the 2024 IPL season, he struck at 146.86, and in recent IPL 2025, he has registered an outstanding strike rate of 175.07 while averaging 50.33. 

These numbers strongly justify his recall and underline why the selectors opted for him over Shubman Gill in the New Zealand T20I series.

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