India’s middle-order has taken a hit ahead of the T20 series against New Zealand, with Tilak Varm ruled out of the first three matches due to groin surgery. The BCCI has not yet named a replacement, but former opener Aakash Chopra has shared his recommendations.
Chopra emphasized that Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, being openers, are not suitable to fill Varma’s middle-order position. Instead, he suggested Shreyas Iyer as the most fitting choice, citing his excellent form in IPL 2025, where he scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 and led Punjab Kings to the finals.
For teams seeking an all-round option, Chopra noted Riyan Parag as a viable alternative due to his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. While Jitesh Sharma could technically be considered, his chances are slim as India already has Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeper-batters.
Tilak Varma’s return to competitive cricket remains uncertain, with his availability for the final two matches of the New Zealand series dependent on his progress in recovery and training. The upcoming series is a critical lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making the selection of his replacement crucial for India’s middle-order stability.