Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has found himself in the crosshairs of frustrated fans as Shreyas Iyer was once again omitted from the Indian playing XI for the 4th T20I vs New Zealand in Visakhapatnam.
IND vs NZ, 4th T20I: Shreyas Iyer snub continues as fans blame Gautam Gambhir
Despite being added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma, Iyer has spent the entire series on the sidelines, watching from the dugout as India experimented with various middle-order combinations. The frustration peaked during the toss when it was revealed that even with Ishan Kishan sidelined due to a niggle, the management opted for Arshdeep Singh to bolster the bowling rather than handing Iyer a long-awaited opportunity. Social media has erupted with allegations of ‘favoritism,’ with fans questioning why a proven performer like Iyer is being treated as a glorified benchwarmer under Gambhir’s coaching tenure. This growing disconnect between the management’s tactical rotation and public expectation has cast a shadow over India’s otherwise dominant 3-0 lead in the series.
Critics of the current regime argue that Gambhir is prioritizing a ‘KKR-style’ aggressive template that seemingly has no room for Iyer’s calculated anchor role, even in a series that has already been won. The outrage intensified when Suryakumar Yadav opted for bowler instead of Iyer despite the injury to Kishan, leading fans to accuse the coaching staff of being ‘biased’ and ‘shortsighted.’ For many, the sight of Iyer being snubbed in favor of an extra bowler in Vizag was the final straw, fueling a narrative that the Mumbai batter is being systematically pushed out of India’s T20 future.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Playing Shreyas Iyer wouldn’t have harmed anyone…instead going in a batter short. Also, batting first to challenge the bowlers in the second innings (dew expected) wouldn’t have been a bad idea either… #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 28, 2026
गौतम गंभीर ने आज श्रेयस अय्यर को टीम में आखिर क्यों नहीं रखा?
जब ईशान किशन भी नहीं खेल रहे हैं…सिर्फ चार मेनस्ट्रीम बैट्समैन के साथ खेल रहे हैं… बात समझ से परे हैऔर अब तो सीरीज भी जीत चुके हो, ऐसे में एक चैंपियन बल्लेबाज को मौका देने में क्या बुराई थी
इससे साफ पता चलता है…
— Gaurav Pandey (@gaurav5pandey) January 28, 2026
If Ishan Kishan is unavailable and not playing, then ideally Shreyas Iyer should have been included in the playing XI at No. 3 or 4. But what kind of personal issue Gautam Gambhir has with Iyer, only he knows.🙏 #INDvsNZ
Feel for @ShreyasIyer15 pic.twitter.com/j3kPZeVMRF
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 28, 2026
The coaching panel has some issues with Shreyas ig.
Ishan Kishan is injured & Shreyas Iyer should have been playing at number 3 in tonight’s match but they’re playing an extra bowler with just 4 frontline batters.
Shreyas deserves better. pic.twitter.com/VgHzbyQzUl
— Sohel. (@SohelVkf) January 28, 2026
Coach has grudges against Shreyas Iyer. Captain is insecure of Shreyas Iyer.
Result – GG who never sacrificed his batting depth is playing with just 4 frontline batters.
I never called out them for not having Shreyas Iyer in XI but tonight, he was supposed to start for Ishan!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 28, 2026
Everyone cried justice for Sanju Samson when he was struggling but ishan kishan on bench then why is Shreyas Iyer still warming the bench in the 4th T20I? Time for real justice
Justice for Shreyas Iyer 🤕#NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/egXg7DNugK— Aditya Saundarya 🏹 (@Kuch_lafz_) January 28, 2026
India might win the T20I World Cup and even the ODI World Cup next year. But the fact will still remain that Gautam Gambhir is the worst coach of recent times.#INDvNZ
— Jasmin (@jassemin_) January 28, 2026
Two decisions by the Indian team management today cast further doubt on them.
1. Bowl first and took the easy route despite winning the series. Could have batted first and put our batters and bowlers to the test.
2. No Iyer. Why pick him in the squad if you don’t play him?
— Rajeesh Nair 🇮🇳 (@irajeeshnair) January 28, 2026
Gambhir’s despise for Iyer is very clear at this point.
— Cowboy Bepop (@cowboy___bepop) January 28, 2026
Shreyas Iyer career in danger till Gambhir coaching. https://t.co/Ws0gDDWV4r pic.twitter.com/zGAEvQdLdl
— ` (@Sarpanch_Singh_) January 28, 2026
Also READ: IND vs NZ: Here’s why Ishan Kishan is not playing today’s 4th T20I match in Visakhapatnam
Iyer in a precarious position despite explosive return to the T20 conversation
As India navigates its final preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, Iyer finds himself in a precarious position despite his explosive return to the T20 conversation. Following a legendary IPL 2025 campaign where he amassed 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 for the Punjab Kings, Iyer was drafted into the national squad for the New Zealand series solely as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma.
However, throughout the first four T20Is, the management has prioritized the ‘high strike rate’ template, leaving Iyer on the bench while testing combinations involving Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. While fans have slammed Gambhir for the perceived snub, the tactical reality is that India’s middle order is currently packed with finishers like Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya, leaving the “anchor” specialist struggling to find a gap in the XI. Unless a last-minute injury occurs to a frontline batter, Iyer’s T20 World Cup 2026 journey likely rests on the periphery of the main 15-man squad.
Also READ: Arshdeep Singh OUT of India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026 as Mohammad Kaif reveals his team
