“Would have pushed the coach to send Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir” – Former all-rounder on India’s batting order in 4th NZ vs IND 2026 T20I

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that India should have sent Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir into bat ahead of Axar Patel in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Auckland. Pathan stated that both batters are in great form and must be given more opportunities to display their skills.

India went down to New Zealand by 87 runs at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30 in the fourth T20I of the five-match series. Chasing a huge target of 260, they were held to 172-9. After the visitors lost three wickets quickly, they sent Axar into bat at No. 5.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Pathan opined that India should have sent Varma and Dhir into bat ahead of Axar. He commented:

“Axar has been given a role. Whenever he goes up the order in T20 cricket, his role is to just smack it, get quick 20s, 30s and get the momentum going. In an ideal situation, you want to see your proper batters because you are batting till number 8. You have that kind of breather as well if the wicket falls.

“So, if you want to go with right and left-hand combination, Tilak is there as a left-hander. Naman Dhir is there as a right-hander. And both these guys are playing their T20 cricket so well. If they get more opportunities, it will be great. If I was there in the dressing room, I would have pushed the coach to send Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir.”

While Axar was dismissed for seven off nine balls in Auckland, Varma scored a run-a-ball 35 and Dhir 28 off 13.

“I get why Axar Patel was pushed up” – Pathan on all-rounder batting ahead of Varma and Naman

While Irfan stated that he was not in favor of Axar’s batting promotion, he added that he understood why India did it. The former all-rounder explained that Axar has bailed the team out of tricky situations in big matches. He elaborated:

“I get why Axar Patel was pushed up, especially when India were losing wickets. He has done it in the World Cup final as well. He has done it some other important games. So, that recency in their head, of him performing really well, goes in the favour of Axar Patel. But, if Tilak and Naman Dhir get more opportunities to play more number of balls, you never know what can happen.”

Axar scored an iconic 47 off 31 balls in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa after India had lost three early wickets.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert