New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan came out in support of head coach Gautam Gambhir after Ishan Kishan batted lower down the order in the first T20 match, revealing that the wicketkeeper-batter had a niggle and urging critics not to rush to judgment without knowing the full story.

In a post on X, Pathan said Kishan's fitness issue was the reason behind the change in his batting position during the first T20I against New Zealand, while criticising the tendency to target Gambhir over decisions involving the team's batting order.

"So, Ishan Kishan had a niggle during the first T20, which is why he batted lower down the order. But everyone was quick to go after @GautamGambhir for changing the batting order. Critici...