Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team management faced questions after their decision to send Tilak Varma at No. 3 backfired in the first T20I against New Zealand.
Tilak managed just six runs off 11 balls, while fans questioned why Ishan Kishan was not sent ahead of him.
After Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal, India had the option of sending Kishan at No. 3. The wicketkeeper batter had returned to the Indian side and had done well in the role.
Despite, the team management went with Tilak, who struggled to score against New Zealand’s spinners.
Tilak was dismissed by Michael Bracewell after scoring six runs off 11 balls. His slow innings also put pressure on Sanju Samson, who was batting well at the other end before departing for 67 off 33 deliveries.
The decision raised further questions because Tilak had been moved down the order to accommodate Kishan, with his ability against pace also making him an option in the middle order. Sending him in against New Zealand’s spin attack did not work, and fans took to social media to question Gambhir’s decision.
India eventually won the match, but the batting order became a talking point. The team management has backed a flexible batting order, but this move raised questions about whether India are changing players roles unnecessarily.
With four T20Is still to come in the series, Team management will need to get their combinations right.
Still don’t understand who sent Tilak Varma in at No. 3 ahead of Ishan Kishan. Shreyas Iyer could have come in at No. 3 ahead of Tilak as well. Why send Tilak at No. 3 when everyone knows he struggles badly against spin? He looks completely clueless against spin bowling.
In the end, he scored just 6 off 11 balls and completely disrupted Team India’s momentum. 💯
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) October 22, 2026
Can somebody explain why was Tilak Varma sent above Ishan Kishan at no. 3?
What was the need? This is too much experiment. https://t.co/pQCxmgeENU
— Verma Ji (@vermaji_27) October 22, 2026
Sanju Samson’s wicket is on Tilak Varma.
Tilak scored 4(8)* to ruin all momentum of Sanju Samon which eventually resulted in his wicket!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 22, 2026
Which 🤡 decision was it to sent Tilak Varma at no.3 after India was 94/1 in PP.
Especially when you know Tilak cant even rotate strike against spin.
11 ball 6 & whole momentum lost.
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) October 22, 2026
