Shreyas Iyer Names Tilak Varma India’s Biggest Shopper Before AFG vs IND

Shreyas Iyer gave fans a glimpse into the lighter side of the Indian dressing room ahead of the third T20I against Afghanistan, naming Tilak Varma as the biggest shopper in the team.

India and Afghanistan are scheduled to meet in the third and final match of their three-game T20I series in Delhi on Thursday, September 17. India have already secured the series after winning the opening two matches, leaving the final contest as an opportunity for Shreyas Iyer’s side to complete a 3-0 sweep.

During an event involving players from both teams, Iyer was asked which Indian player spends the most time shopping. The India captain immediately picked Tilak Varma, explaining that he had repeatedly seen the young batter returning with shopping bags.

Iyer added a humorous detail to his answer, suggesting that Varma’s shopping is not about small purchases but luxury items.

The exchange provided an entertaining look at the personalities within the Indian squad before the final game of the series. Iyer was also asked to identify the biggest prankster in the team, and his answer brought another senior India star into the conversation.

Shreyas Iyer picks Tilak Varma as biggest shopper

When asked about the biggest shopper in the Indian team, Iyer did not hesitate before naming Tilak Varma.

The India captain explained that he had frequently noticed Varma going out and returning with a shopping bag. Iyer then joked that the batter’s purchases were not exactly modest.

His description painted Varma as someone who enjoys luxury shopping, adding a relaxed moment to the build-up toward the third T20I.

The exchange also showed the friendly atmosphere surrounding the Indian squad. While the players are preparing for an international match, moments like these provide an insight into their relationships away from the pressure of cricket.

India have already sealed the T20I series

The shopping conversation came before a match that India can approach without the pressure of needing a series victory.

Iyer’s team have already won the first two T20Is against Afghanistan, securing a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final game in Delhi therefore gives India an opportunity to complete a clean sweep.

For Iyer, the series is also significant from a personal leadership perspective. The Afghanistan series victory represents his second series win as captain of India’s T20I side.

With the overall result already decided, the third match could also provide an opportunity for India to assess different combinations or give additional players valuable game time, depending on the team’s plans.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be looking to finish the series with a victory and prevent India from completing a 3-0 result.

Shreyas Iyer names Ishan Kishan as the prankster

Iyer was asked another personality-based question during the same conversation: which player is the biggest prankster in the Indian team?

This time, the captain selected Ishan Kishan.

Iyer described Kishan as someone with a creative memory and an ability to come up with jokes. He also joked that Kishan had become somewhat more serious after reaching the top of the T20I batting rankings.

The comment led to another response from Kishan, who immediately offered a different answer.

Instead of accepting Iyer’s description, Kishan pointed toward wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as the actual prankster in the team.

That playful disagreement gave the conversation another entertaining moment and showed the different personalities within India’s squad.

Ishan Kishan has been in outstanding form

While the discussion around Kishan focused on his personality, his performances on the field have also attracted significant attention.

The left-handed batter enjoyed an impressive Duleep Trophy campaign in 2026, scoring 409 runs across five innings. He averaged 102.25 during the tournament and registered a century as well as a half-century.

His form continued into the Afghanistan T20I series.

In the opening game, Kishan scored 42 runs from 33 deliveries, hitting five fours and one six. He followed that with an unbeaten 38 from 23 balls in the second T20I, striking three fours and two sixes.

Those performances have helped maintain his position among the leading T20I batters in the world.

Kishan currently leads the ICC T20I batting rankings

Kishan’s recent form has also coincided with his rise to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings.

He currently has 913 rating points, according to the information provided, placing him at No. 1 among T20I batters.

The ranking position adds context to Iyer’s playful comment about Kishan becoming more serious. On the field, the batter has been producing important contributions and has carried his domestic form into international cricket.

His two innings against Afghanistan have not been massive scores, but they have provided India with useful contributions at the top of the order. His ability to score quickly has also remained evident, particularly in his unbeaten 38 from just 23 deliveries in the second match.

Tilak Varma remains an important young India batter

Although Iyer’s comment about Varma was focused on shopping, the young batter remains an important part of India’s wider T20I setup.

Varma’s inclusion in the conversation alongside established international players reflects his place within the current Indian squad. The 2026 series against Afghanistan has also given India another opportunity to assess its batting resources.

For Varma, the off-field attention surrounding his shopping habits is a light-hearted moment. The bigger focus remains his performances whenever he gets an opportunity to contribute to the team.

The relaxed exchange between Iyer and the other players demonstrates how international squads can maintain a sense of camaraderie even during a competitive series.

Ravi Bishnoi gets Kishan’s vote

After Iyer selected Kishan as India’s prankster, Kishan quickly disagreed and named Ravi Bishnoi instead.

The response was delivered in a similarly playful manner, with Kishan confidently suggesting that Bishnoi was the correct answer.

Bishnoi’s role in the team is very different from Kishan’s. The leg-spinner is primarily known for his bowling, while Kishan provides explosive batting at the top of the order.

However, their contrasting roles do not prevent them from contributing to the team’s atmosphere away from the field. The exchange showed that there is no shortage of personality within the Indian dressing room.

Shreyas Iyer’s second series win as T20I captain

The Afghanistan series has also been an important step in Iyer’s leadership journey.

India have already secured the three-match series with victories in the first two games, giving Iyer his second series triumph as India’s T20I captain.

The final match in Delhi provides him with the chance to finish the series unbeaten. A 3-0 result would also give India additional momentum after their successful start to the series.

With the trophy outcome already decided, the final match could provide an opportunity to focus on individual performances and tactical combinations while still maintaining the competitive standards expected from an international side.

Afghanistan look to end the series strongly

For Afghanistan, the third T20I represents a chance to respond after losing the first two matches.

India’s 2-0 advantage means Afghanistan cannot win the series, but a victory in Delhi would prevent a clean sweep and provide a positive ending to the tour.

The match will also offer Afghanistan’s players another opportunity to test themselves against an Indian team featuring several in-form batters.

The presence of players such as Ishan Kishan, along with India’s other established names, means Afghanistan will need a strong all-round performance if they are to finish the series with a win.

What to expect from the third T20I

The third T20I will take place in Delhi on September 17, with the match scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.

India enter the contest with the series already secured, while Afghanistan will be aiming to avoid a 3-0 defeat. That difference in circumstances could make team selection an interesting aspect of the final game.

India may look at the match as another chance to strengthen their T20I plans, while individual players could aim to make an impression before future international assignments.

For Iyer, the match is also another opportunity to continue building his record as captain.

The lighter side of India’s dressing room

The comments about shopping and pranks may have little direct connection to what happens on the cricket field, but they offer an entertaining glimpse into the Indian team’s off-field environment.

Iyer’s choice of Tilak Varma as the biggest shopper, followed by his selection of Kishan as the prankster, created a relaxed exchange before an important international fixture.

Kishan’s decision to nominate Bishnoi added another twist to the conversation, ensuring that the playful debate continued.

With India already leading the series 2-0, such moments also provide a reminder that the players are preparing for the final match in a positive environment.

Final Verdict

Shreyas Iyer provided an entertaining insight into India’s dressing room by naming Tilak Varma as the team’s biggest shopper ahead of the third T20I against Afghanistan. The captain jokingly suggested that Varma prefers luxury purchases.

Iyer also picked Ishan Kishan as India’s biggest prankster, but Kishan disagreed and nominated Ravi Bishnoi instead. The exchange highlighted the relaxed atmosphere within the squad.

On the cricketing side, India have already sealed the three-match series 2-0 and will aim to complete a 3-0 sweep in Delhi. Kishan enters the final match in strong form after an excellent Duleep Trophy campaign and useful contributions in both Afghanistan T20Is.

The third T20I will therefore combine a series already won by India with another opportunity for players to strengthen their positions and for Iyer to continue his captaincy journey.