India captain Suryakumar Yadav reveals Tilak Varma's replacement in playing XITOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 20, 2026, 19:42 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge India captain Suryakumar Yadav with coach Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) NEW DELHI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav has now explained why Ishan Kishan is expected to play ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the T20 series against New Zealand.

“I have batted at both positions for India. 4 are sightly better although they are good at No. He stated the decision is mainly because Ishan is part of India’s T20 World Cup squad and is a like-for-like replacement for injured Tilak Varma, who is a left-hander.Tilak, who is usually an automatic choice at number three, has now undergone abdominal surgery and is ruled out of the first three matches starting Wednesday.

3 also. Suryakumar Yadav press conference: On India T20I Playing XI, personal form and moreHis injury opened the door for Shreyas Iyer to return to the national squad, but only for those initial games. But then we are flexible with that,” he said.He added, “We is expected to see and if the situation demands that we have to send a right-hander… then, I is expected to go in, otherwise Tilak (now injured) has now been doing really well at number three.”Speaking about his own form, Suryakumar admitted struggles but remained confident.

Also check the latest WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.About the AuthorTOI Sports DeskAt TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you comprehensive updates from the world of sports. “I've been out of runs. But I can't change my identity,” he said, adding, “If the performance comes, I'll take it, if it doesn't, it's back to the drawing board.”He ended by stressing team success over personal form, saying, “This is team sport and my first responsibility is to ensure that my team does well.”Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals.

Unfortunately, Tilak isn't there so Ishan is our best bet.”The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 and is expected to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. My stats at No. Expect nuanced match reports, previews, and reviews, along with statistics-based technical analysis, the latest social media trends, and expert insights across cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey, motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics, and more.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaTop Sports NewsWPL 2026WPL 2026 ScheduleT20 World Cup Schedule 2026WPL Points Table 2026WPL TeamsWPL ResultsTop TrendingMatthew StaffordDraymond GreenOskar Sundqvist InjuryAndrew CallaghanAtlanta Braves RumorsRoger FedererKlay ThomponJohn Harbaughs WifeBengaluru WeatherDC Robert SalehTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn SportsEntire WebsiteRanji Trophy: KL to play for Karnataka; NKR confirms availability for AndhraFrom Sania mix-ups to sporting immortality: Farewell Saina Nehwal, India's trailblazer'Ball daal apna chup chap aur peeche ja': Rohit Sharma to Kuldeep YadavWPL Live: Delhi Capitals win toss, opt to bowl against Mumbai IndiansNot Gukesh or Erigaisi!