Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir As has found himself the target of disappointed fans Shreyas Iyer Once again dropped from the Indian playing eleven for the fourth T20 match new zealand In Visakhapatnam.
IND vs NZ, 4th T20I: Shreyas Iyer continues to be ignored, fans hold Gautam Gambhir responsible
Despite being included in the team as a replacement for the injured Tilak VermaIyer has spent the entire series on the sidelines, watching from the dugout as India experimented with different middle-order combinations. The disappointment reached its peak during the toss when it was revealed that even with Ishan Kishan Sidelined due to a minor problem, management chose to Arshdeep Singh Strengthening the bowling instead of giving Iyer the long-awaited opportunity. Social media has been flooded with allegations of ‘bias’, with fans questioning why a proven performer like Iyer is being treated as a coveted benchwarmer during Gambhir’s coaching tenure. The widening gap between management’s strategic maze and public expectations has eclipsed India’s impressive 3-0 lead in the series.
Critics of the current regime argue that Gambhir is preferring a ‘KKR-style’ attacking template, with seemingly no room for Iyer’s calculated anchor role, even in a series that has already been won. The anger increased further when Suryakumar Yadav The bowler was chosen over Iyer despite Kishan’s injury, leading fans to accuse the coaching staff of being ‘biased’ and ‘short-sighted’. For many, the sight of Iyer being overlooked in favor of an extra bowler in Vizag was the final blow, fueling the narrative that the Mumbai batsman was being systematically left out of India’s T20 future.
Here’s how fans reacted:
There is no harm to anyone by playing Shreyas Iyer…but a batsman would be played in short. Also, it might not be a bad idea to bat first to challenge the bowlers in the second innings (expect dew)… #IndvNZ
– Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 28 January 2026
Why did Gautam Gambhir not keep Shreyas Iyer in the team for the final today?
When even Ishaan Kishan is not playing… he is playing with only four mainstream batsmen… it is beyond comprehension.And now that the series has also been won, what was the harm in giving a chance to a champion batsman?
This clearly shows…
– Gaurav Pandey (@gaurav5pandey) 28 January 2026
If Ishan Kishan is unavailable and not playing, then ideally Shreyas Iyer should have been included in the playing eleven at number 3 or 4. But what kind of personal issue Gautam Gambhir has with Iyer, only he knows.🙏 #INDvsNZ
feel for @shreyasiyar15 pic.twitter.com/j3kPZeVMRF
– 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@Rushiii_12) 28 January 2026
The coaching panel has some issues with Shreyas IG.
Ishan Kishan is injured and Shreyas Iyer should have played at number 3 in tonight’s match, but he is playing an extra bowler with just 4 frontline batsmen.
Shreyas deserves better. pic.twitter.com/VgHzbyQzUl
-Sohail. (@SohelVkf) 28 January 2026
The coach is angry with Shreyas Iyer. Captain is insecure with Shreyas Iyer!
Result – GG who never sacrificed their batting depth, playing with only 4 frontline batsmen.
I never called out Shreyas Iyer for not keeping him in the XI, but tonight, he had to open for Ishan!
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 28 January 2026
When Sanju Samson was struggling, everyone was pleading for justice for him, but Ishan Kishan was on the bench, then why is Shreyas Iyer still on the bench in the fourth T20? time of real judgment
Justice for Shreyas Iyer🤕#NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/egXg7DNugK-Aditya Beauty 🏹 (@Kuch_lafz_) 28 January 2026
India can win the T20 World Cup and even the ODI World Cup next year. But the truth still remains that Gautam Gambhir is the worst coach of recent times.#INDvNZ
– Jasmine (@jassemin_) 28 January 2026
Two decisions of the Indian team management today have further increased the doubts on them.
1. Bowl first and took the easy route despite winning the series. Could have batted first and tested our batsmen and bowlers.
2. No Iyer. Why pick him in the team if you don’t feed him?
– Rajesh Nair 🇮🇳 (@irajeeshnair) 28 January 2026
Gambhir’s hatred towards Iyer is quite clear at this point.
– Cowboy Bepop (@cowboy___bepop) 28 January 2026
Shreyas Iyer’s career in danger till Gambhir’s coaching! https://t.co/Ws0gDDWV4r pic.twitter.com/zGAEvQdLdl
—` (@Sarpanch_Singh_) 28 January 2026
Also read: IND vs NZ: This is why Ishan Kishan is not playing today’s fourth T20 match in Visakhapatnam
Iyer remains in a precarious position despite explosive comeback in T20 talks
As India makes its final preparations for this t20 world cup 2026Despite his explosive comeback in the T20 conversation, Iyer finds himself in a precarious position. following a legend ipl 2025 campaign where he scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 punjab kingsIyer was only included in the national team for the New Zealand series as a replacement for the injured Tilak Verma.
However, in the first four T20Is, the management has preferred a ‘high strike rate’ template, leaving Iyer on the bench while testing the combinations involved. sanju samson And Abhishek Sharma. While fans have criticized Gambhir for his alleged disrespect, the tactical reality is that India’s middle order is currently loaded with finishers. Rinku Singh And hardik pandyaDue to which the “anchor” specialist struggled to find a gap in the XI. Unless a frontline batsman, Iyer, gets injured at the last minute t20 world cup 2026 The tour is likely to remain on the periphery of the main 15-man squad.
Also read: Arshdeep Singh out of India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026, Mohammad Kaif reveals his team
