IND vs NZ 2026: 'Why have you kept Shreyas Iyer in the team?' - Former KKR batter slams Gautam Gambhir and Co. after India's defeat in 4th T20I

Aakash Chopra failed to understand why Arshdeep Singh, and not Shreyas Iyer, replaced the injured Ishan Kishan in India's playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday, January 28. Kishan, who had been in excellent form on his return to the Indian T20I setup for the first time in more than two years, missed the fourth T20I with a niggle.

While fans and experts were expecting veteran batter Shreyas Iyer to get a look in, the Gautam Gambhir-led team management caught everyone off guard by bringing fast bowler Arshdeep Singh into the lineup. Shreyas wasn't a part of the initial squad but was added as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma.

India were a batter short in the fourth T20I, and they got bowled out for 165, while chasing a 215-run target on Wednesday.

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra opined that if the Men in Blue didn't have plans to play Shreyas in the series, they could have picked less-experienced players like Shahbaz Ahmed or Ayush Badoni.

"My biggest point is, why have you kept Shreyas Iyer in the team? When Tilak Varma got injured, I was the one who said Shreyas shouldn't be played because his name is not in the World Cup squad. However, when Ishan Kishan got injured, you had no other batter sitting outside," Chopra said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

"Shreyas wasn't in the initial plans, but we cannot play with six batters and five proper bowlers, with Harshit Rana at No. 7. I dare say, what's the logic of making Shreyas Iyer sit out now? If you didn't want to play him, you could have kept Ayush Badoni or Shahbaz Ahmed. I can take four other names you could have kept," he added," he added.

If you feel there will be a ruckus on social media if he scores runs in a match, let it happen: Chopra

Chopra said that the Indian team management shouldn't worry if a ruckus ensues after Shreyas does well with the bat. He advised them to stick to their plans at all times.

"This was the chance where you should have played him. If you feel there will be a ruckus on social media if he scores runs in a match, let it happen. Your job is to play with at least seven batters. You need an all-rounder at No. 8. Don't change that philosophy at least," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that there was no reason to keep Shreyas on the bench. He even urged the think tank to release Shreyas if they were not willing to give him a chance and let him play elsewhere.

"Don't make Shreyas Iyer sit out like this. I think the decision to bench him was grossly incorrect. If you have decided to make him sit out, send him home. Let him go and play something else. I am unable to understand the logic of him being here," Chopra observed.