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The decision to bench Shreyas Iyer in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam has sparked intense debate in the cricketing world. With Ishan Kishan ruled out due to injury, many expected Iyer to walk straight into the playing XI. However, that didn’t happen — and questions started flying.

From fans on social media to former cricketers, everyone is asking the same thing:
If Shreyas Iyer isn’t going to play, why is he even in the T20I squad?

Former India opener Aakash Chopra openly questioned the move, saying that if Iyer is not in the team’s plans, a younger player should be given exposure instead.

So, why was Shreyas Iyer kept on the bench? Let’s break it down.

The Biggest Reason: T20 World Cup Preparation

The primary reason behind Shreyas Iyer not getting a chance is Team India’s focus on the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The team management wants to:

• Give maximum game time to players who are almost certain selections for the World Cup

• Test combinations under pressure

• Clearly define roles rather than rotate excessively

In the Vizag T20, India actually went in with one less specialist batter. Instead of replacing Ishan Kishan with another batsman like Iyer, the team brought in Arshdeep Singh, strengthening the bowling attack.

This move was intentional.

Team Management’s Strategy Explained

The idea behind this decision was:

• To put more responsibility on the existing batters

• To see how they handle pressure situations

• To give bowlers more match exposure ahead of a global tournament

In simple terms, experimentation time is over. Team India is now in fine-tuning mode, and only players who fit directly into the World Cup XI are being prioritised.

Where Does Shreyas Iyer Stand?

Shreyas Iyer remains a proven performer in ODIs and Tests, but in the shortest format:

• His strike-rate concerns

• Team India’s preference for multi-dimensional players

• And stiff competition in the middle order

have pushed him slightly down the pecking order.

That said, being benched doesn’t mean he’s out of contention — but it does suggest that he’s not currently among the first-choice options for the T20 World Cup.

The Bigger Question Remains

The debate still stands:
If Shreyas Iyer isn’t going to get opportunities, should Team India carry him in the squad at all?

That’s a question only the selectors and team management can answer — but for now, the message is clear:
World Cup preparation is taking precedence over individual chances.