Shreyas Iyerreturn of IndiaThe selection of the T20 squad for the first three matches against New Zealand is a deliberate move to secure high-quality backups for the upcoming matches. t20 world cup 2026. after serious injury Tilak VermaIyer, who recently underwent surgery, has been recalled to the T20I squad for the first time since December 2023.
While India has already announced its provisional 15-member World Cup squad on December 20, the ICC deadline for final changes is January 31, 2026. Iyer, who is currently out of that final 15, has a golden opportunity during this New Zealand series to prove that he is the better option if Verma fails to recover in time. World Cup set to begin in February on spin-friendly tracks India And Sri LankaIyer’s inclusion has ensured that India will not be weak in the middle order.
3 reasons why Shreyas Iyer’s selection for the IND vs NZ T20I series is the right move
1. Impressive IPL 2025 form and high-octane strike rate
Iyer isn’t just returning to glory; He is having a ‘career-best’ IPL 2025 season, where he captained punjab kings Till the final. Iyer silenced critics who had questioned his scoring rate in the shortest format by scoring 604 runs in 17 innings at an impressive average of 50.33. Most importantly, his strike rate increased to 175.07, a significant jump from his career T20I strike rate of 136.13. During the season, he hit 39 sixes and scored six half-centuries, including an innings of 97*. Gujarat Titans. This version of Iyer, aggressive from the first ball, is exactly what India need to maintain momentum in the middle overs, especially if they lose early wickets.
2. Leading ‘spin-basher’ for subcontinent conditions
One of the main reasons for Iyer’s recall is his unmatched ability to dominate spin in the middle overs, a phase where India have often been stagnant. During IPL 2025, Iyer’s numbers against spin were elite: he scored 171 runs against slow bowlers at an average of 58.70 and a strike rate of 145.5.
In comparison, Tilak struggled a bit in this department during the same season, with his strike rate against spin dropping to 121.84. New Zealand is deploying experienced campaigners like michel santner And Ish SodhiIyer’s ability to dance on the track and cross the ropes makes him a tactical ‘must-have’. his recent form icc champions trophy 2025Where he was India’s top scorer with 243 runs (average: 48.60), proving that he is in the zone to handle international pressure.
3. Important insurance ahead of January 31 deadline for T20 World Cup 2026
Tilak Verma, who rose to fame in the first three matches after surgery, has been ruled out of the T20 series and his participation in the World Cup is also in doubt, so the series against New Zealand will act as the final ‘audition’ for Iyer. Suryakumar Yadav That too not in his best form. Verma has been a sensation in T20s with an average of 49.29, but his lack of match fitness is a major concern just weeks before the World Cup.
By picking Iyer for the first three T20Is (January 21, 23 and 25), the selectors are giving him a platform to show that he can fill the void. If Iyer repeats his IPL heroics, the team management has a deadline of January 31 to replace him in the final World Cup squad. His 51 T20I experience and his leadership abilities (leading KKR to the title in 2024 and PBKS to the final in 2025) make him perhaps the most reliable “Plan B” for India.
