Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed Shreyas Iyer to replace Tilak Varma in the T20 World Cup squad. Varma underwent surgery for Testicular Torsion in Rajkot on Wednesday and he will need three to four weeks for full recovery, which might give sleepless nights to the selectors ahead of the T20I showpiece.
Varma has scored 1182 runs in 40 T20I matches at an average of 49.25 and a strike rate of 143.98. The southpaw has been ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand but it has been reported that his surgery wasn’t serious.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer in ODIs for India. Iyer also scored 604 runs in 17 matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07.
Aakash Chopra said in a video on X, “Who can it be? Shreyas Iyer. ‘Sarpanch’ sahab should be picked automatically. He is already playing well and scored in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too. Even when Iyer was not picked in the Asia Cup, it felt slightly unfair but it was understandable. But there is an opportunity for a middle-order role here. He is also an experienced player and set the IPL on fire. He fits the bill and Shreyas Iyer gets my vote.”
Chopra said Riyan Parag can also be considered as an all-round option, but eventually backed Shreyas Iyer.
“Riyan Parag could also be one candidate and he was part of the T20I side before. He can also bowl and if India is looking for an all-rounder or multi-skilled player, Riyan Parag could be that guy. But my vote is for Shreyas Iyer. I would place Parag at No.2. Jitesh Sharma might have an outside chance. But again, India does not need an opener, so no Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, India need a middle-order batter and Jitesh was part of the side recently. But India also don’t need three keepers in the squad. So, I would suggest to not look too far and pick Iyer.”
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.
