Irfan Pathan defended Gautam Gambhir over Ishan Kishan batting at No.5 in India's first T20I against New Zealand. Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I with an adductor strain, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to replace him as India target a 2-0 series lead.Irfan Pathan slams Gautam Gambhir's critics over Ishan Kishan's No.5 slot.
Courtesy: PTI/AFPNew Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 19:19 ISTFormer India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir after criticism over Ishan Kishan batting at No. 5 in India's first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22.
Pathan revealed that Kishan was carrying a niggle during the series opener, which prompted the team management to alter its batting order.Kishan, who usually bats in the top three, came in at No. 5 after Tilak Varma was promoted to No.
3. The decision raised questions, particularly after both batters struggled during India's chase.
India, however, went on to register a thrilling four-wicket victory while chasing a target of 226, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.Pathan took to social media to explain the circumstances behind the decision, urging critics to understand the situation before questioning Gambhir's tactics. The former cricketer felt that the criticism directed at the India head coach was premature, given that Kishan was not fully fit during the match.“So, Ishan Kishan had a niggle during the first T20, which is why he batted lower down the order,” Pathan wrote. “But everyone was quick to go after Gautam Gambhir for changing the batting order.
Criticising him has become everyone’s favourite timepass these days.”‘WAIT BEFORE PASSING JUDGEMENT’Kishan had a brief outing in the first T20I, scoring just one run off three deliveries before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner. Tilak Varma also failed to make an impact, managing six runs off 11 balls.
Despite the early setbacks, India completed the chase in 19.4 overs, with Sanju Samson scoring 67 off 33 balls and Shreyas Iyer contributing 42 off 28 deliveries. Pathan also urged people to avoid making assumptions without knowing the complete story.“Please, please wait a bit before passing judgment.
Don’t jump to conclusions without knowing the full story,” Pathan wrote.“And this applies to everything in life. In the rush to get ‘views’ and ‘numbers’ on social media, you might end up hurting someone without even knowing the full story.
Think before you judge.”Meanwhile, Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand after sustaining a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will replace him.After their win in the opener, Shreyas Iyer’s India will look for a 2-0 lead in the second T20I at the Hagley Oval.- Ends