Shreyas Iyer named best replacement for Tilak Varma; Suryakumar Yadav handed fixed batting position

Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at home and in Sri Lanka, the India National Cricket Team is sweating over the fitness of Tilak Varma, who is currently recovering after undergoing testicular torsion surgery. He missed the New Zealand series due to an abdominal injury.

Now, the talented Indian batter is racing against time, as the defending champions will kick off their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the USA. However, there are several options to replace Tilak if he fails to recover in time, but Shreyas Iyer emerged as the ideal option.

Simon Doull backs Shreyas Iyer as Tilak Varma’s replacement at No.3 for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Recently, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believed that if Tilak does not recover in time from his injury, Shreyas Iyer should be India’s first choice at No. 3. Doull reckoned that Iyer brings the kind of middle-order stability India will need in the T20 World Cup 2026.

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Simon Doull said on Star Sports: “Shreyas Iyer. Middle-order player, plays spin really well. Doesn't offer you that little bit of bowling that Tilak might offer you, but he fits the mold brilliantly.”

The cricket pundit has pointed out that the right-hander’s ability to handle spin and build an innings makes him a natural fit. However, Shreyas Iyer does not offer the extra bowling option that Tilak provides.

Well, Shreyas Iyer has already been drafted into the Indian squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand as Tilak’s replacement. However, Iyer has not played in the first T20Is.

Doull urges India to fix Suryakumar Yadav’s batting position

The former New Zealand pacer also stressed the importance of giving Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav a fixed batting role instead of constantly shifting him between No. 3 and No. 4. With Tilak’s emergence over the past year, Suryakumar has been moved around, but Doull feels the Indian captain needs stability.

Suryakumar has been even more destructive at No. 4, and a settled role could allow him to play freely and dominate attacks during the middle overs with Doull backing him to play at this position, especially after his series of poor T20I numbers.

Hardik Pandya named India’s biggest death-over weapon after Jasprit Bumrah

When it comes to bowling at the death, Doull calls Hardik Pandya India’s biggest weapon after Jasprit Bumrah, given his instrumental role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup. In the final, he delivered under extreme pressure and turned the game with crucial overs.

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His cutters and slower balls have become highly effective, especially on worn surfaces. With over 100 wickets in T20 internationals and a strong bowling average, Pandya has established himself as a reliable option when runs are hard to defend in the final overs.

Doull said during the same discussion, “One of the biggest X-factors in the end could be Hardik Pandya. Cutters into the surface, he has really perfected that art.”

Simon Doull backs Arshdeep Singh as death-over bowler; backs Sanju Samson to open in T20 World Cup 2026

At the same time, Doull also highlighted the importance of Arshdeep Singh, who also played a massive role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. The New Zealander feels Arshdeep, who is now India’s highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket, must be a key part of India’s death-bowling plans alongside Bumrah and Hardik in the upcoming mega event.

At the end, Doull has backed Sanju Samson as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, blocking the chances of Ishan Kishan’s return as opener.