Irfan Pathan defends Gambhir over Ishan Kishan batting order

Irfan Pathan has stepped in to back Gautam Gambhir after questions were raised about Ishan Kishan’s slot at No. 5 in the first T20I. The former all-rounder explained that a niggle forced Kishan down the order, so Tilak Varma moved up to No. 3. Both men struggled in the chase, yet India still won by four wickets while chasing 226.

Pathan posted that people were too quick to blame the head coach and asked fans to hold off until they knew the full picture. Kishan has now been ruled out of the second T20I with a low-grade right adductor strain, and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will step in for him.