Shreyas Iyer has been recalled to the Indian T20I squad for the first three matches of the five-game home series against New Zealand, providing a timely boost as the team prepares for the T20 World Cup starting February 7.
The 31-year-old, who last featured in a T20I in December 2023 against Australia, replaces the injured Tilak Varma. Tilak is sidelined with a testicular surgery and will miss the initial games but is expected to return for the later matches.
Iyer brings elegance and stability to the middle order, with 1,104 runs in 51 T20Is at an average of 30.66, including eight half-centuries. His recent IPL form, where he scored over 600 runs at a high strike rate, further strengthens his case. For now, Iyer is picked for the first three matches,
but his stay may extend if Tilak remains unfit.
The series commences on January 21 in Chennai, with subsequent matches in Pune (Jan 23), Rajkot (Jan 25), Hyderabad (Jan 28), and Bengaluru (Jan 30). This final bilateral series serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Will Shreyas Iyer Make the T20 World Cup Squad?
While India's T20 World Cup squad has already been announced and includes Tilak Varma, Iyer's recall has sparked discussions about a potential late inclusion. If Tilak's recovery faces delays, experts suggest Iyer could be a strong candidate for a replacement due to his experience in high-pressure situations and ability against spin. His performance in these three matches will be closely watched as a key audition.
Iyer returns to the T20 circuit after playing in the format in the Mumbai T20 League just after IPL 2025 last year. He captained Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and previously won the title with KKR in IPL 2024 as well. The star batter suffered a spleen injury during the Australia tour and since has been sidelined for India until his return in the ODI series against New Zealand.
