But the 87-run defeat in the fourth T20I at Auckland could force the head coach into tactical changes for the fifth and final match against New Zealand at Hamilton on Sunday. Gautam Gambhir has so far backed the players he believes can deliver for India in T20Is.
Nitish was taken for 32 runs in one over by a rampaging Glenn Phillips in the fourth T20I. In four matches, he has scored 276 runs at an average of 92.00 and a strike rate of 189.04, with two fifties and a hundred. His 107 off 49 balls in the fourth T20I powered New Zealand to 259 for four, and he will be eager to finish the T20I series with another major contribution. It may be a dead rubber, but New Zealand will be determined to win the final round before both teams move into the five-match ODI series, beginning Nov 4 at Auckland.
India’s allrounders Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy have contributed with late-order hitting, but their bowling remains a concern. New Zealand’s biggest threat remains Glenn Phillips, who has dominated the series.
Before the criticism grows louder, Iyer needs a substantial score to justify his elevation to India’s T20I captaincy after three years away from the format at international level.