Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir who found himself in the crosshairs of angry fans Shreyas Iyer He was once again dropped from the XI for India’s 4th T20I clash New Zealand in Visakhapatnam.
IND vs NZ, 4th T20I: Shreyas Iyer’s indiscretion continues as fans blame Gautam Gambhir
Despite joining the squad as an injury replacement Tilak VarmaIyer spent the entire series on the sidelines, watching from the dugout as India experimented with various middle-order combinations. Frustration peaked during the shooting, as it turned out Ishan Kishi Due to a weakness, the management made a choice Arshdeep Singh Strengthening the bowling rather than giving Iyer the long awaited opportunity. Allegations of “favouritism” were rife on social media, with fans questioning why a proven performer like Iyer was treated as a glorified bench player during Gambhir’s coaching tenure. This growing disconnect between management’s tactical rotation and public expectation overshadowed India’s 3-0 lead in the series.
Critics of the current regime argue that Gambhir favors a “KKR-style” aggressive template with no room for Iyer’s calculated leading role, even in a series already won. The anger grew stronger Suryakumar Yadav Despite Kisha’s injury, Iyer opted for the bowler instead, leading fans to accuse the coaching staff of being “biased” and “short-sighted”. For many, seeing Iyer dropped in favor of an extra bowler in Vizag was the last straw, fueling narratives that the Mumbai batsman has been systematically excluded from India’s T20 future.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Playing Shreyas Iyer wouldn’t have hurt anyone…instead it goes on in the short term. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bat first (dew expected) to challenge the bowlers in the second innings… #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 28, 2026
Why didn’t Gautam Gambhir keep Shreyas Iyer in the team today?
Even when Ishan Kishan doesn’t play… when he plays with only four main batsmen… it’s incomprehensible.Now you’ve won the streak, so what’s the harm in giving a champion hitter a chance?
This clearly shows…
— Gaurav Pandey (@gaurav5pandey) January 28, 2026
If Ishan Kishan is unavailable and not playing, then ideally Shreyas Iyer should have been included in the XI at No.3 or No.4. But what personal problem Gautam Gambhir has with Iyer, only he knows.🙏 #INDvsNZ
Feel it @ShreyasIyer15 pic.twitter.com/j3kPZeVMRF
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 28, 2026
There are some issues with Shreyas ig on the coaching panel.
Ishan Kishan is injured and Shreyas Iyer was supposed to start at number 3 in tonight’s match but they are playing an extra bowler with just 4 fronts.
Shreyas deserves better. pic.twitter.com/VgHzbyQzUl
– Sohel. (@SohelVkf) January 28, 2026
The coach has a grudge against Shreyas Iyer. Captain does not trust Shreyas Iyer.
The result – never sacrificing stroke depth, GG plays with just 4 forehand strokes.
I never called them because Shreyas Iyer was not in the XI but tonight he should have started for Ishan!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 28, 2026
Everyone was shouting justice for Sanju Samson when he was struggling, but if ishan kishan is on the bench, why is Shreyas Iyer still warming the bench in the 4th T20I? It’s time for real justice
Justice for Shreyas Iyer 🤕#NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/egXg7DNugK— Aditya Saundarya 🏹 (@Kuch_lafz_) January 28, 2026
India can win the T20I World Cup and even the ODI World Cup next year. But the fact remains that Gautam Gambhir is the worst coach of recent times.#INDvNZ
– Jasmine (@jassemin_) January 28, 2026
Two decisions taken by the Indian team management today put them in further doubt.
1. He won and took the easy way out despite winning the series. He could bat first and test our batsmen and bowlers.
2. There is no Iyer. Why pick him in the lineup if you’re not going to play him?
— Rajeesh Nair 🇮🇳 (@irajeeshnair) January 28, 2026
Gambhir’s contempt for Iyer is very evident at this point.
— Cowboy Bepop (@cowboy___bepop) January 28, 2026
Shreyas Iyer’s career is in jeopardy till Gambhir’s coaching. https://t.co/Ws0gDDWV4r pic.twitter.com/zGAEvQdLdl
— ` (@Sarpanch_Singh_) January 28, 2026
Also READ: IND vs NZ: Here’s why Ishan Kishan will not play in today’s 4th T20I in Visakhapatnam
Iyer is in a precarious position despite his explosive return to the T20 conversation
As India watches its final preparations T20 World Cup 2026Despite his explosive return to the T20 conversation, Iyer finds himself in a precarious position. Follows the legendary IPL 2025 A campaign where he scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 Kings of the PunjabIyer was only included in the national squad for the New Zealand series as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma.
However, in the first four T20Is, the management opted for a ‘high strike rate’ template and left Iyer on the bench. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. While fans have criticized Gambhir for his perceived swagger, the tactical reality is that India’s middle order is currently littered with finishers like this. Rinku Singh and Hardik PandyaThe “anchor” specialist, who had difficulty finding space in the XI, left. Barring a last-minute injury to a front-line batsman, Iyer T20 World Cup 2026 travel is likely to fall on the periphery of the core 15-man squad.
Also READ: Arshdeep Singh OUT of India’s XI for T20 World Cup 2026, Mohammad Kaif announces squad
