In the present scenario, Shreyas Iyer, who is a leading batsman from Star India, seems to be out of favor as far as Test cricket is concerned. As he was left out by the selectors for the first Test match against Bangladesh, Iyer has had a dismal run in this year’s Duleep Trophy where he could only manage scoring 104 runs in four innings. Thus nowadays he has become low on the priority list and even more so with the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel making waves in red-ball cricket against England earlier this season. Additionally, considering that Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul were also included in the squad for this series opener, Iyer’s form during Duleep Trophy has only further complicated his chances of trying out for Tests anytime soon.
Recently one Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially stated that there’s no place for him within the existing Test squad making it clear about inability to profit from batting pitches at Duleep Trophy.
“At present there is no vacancy for Shreyas within Test set-up.”Who can he replace?” Other than that, his shot selection has become an issue in Duleep particularly yesterday (Sunday). He was well established then out of nowhere played such a ball (of left-arm spinner Shams Mulani). When you are set and then batting on a flat deck, you need to make the best use of that opportunity,” said the BCCI officer when talking to Telegraph.
At the same time, another director of the organization suggested that Iyer will go on to compete hard in the domestic circuit. It is improbable that the player is selected for five-match Test tour of Australia later this year, as it sounds.
“He could be there (in Mumbai squad) for the Irani Cup (scheduled for October 1 in Lucknow). Even if he is picked for Bangladesh T20s beginning on October 6, he still might play Irani and then be available from the second T20I onwards,” explained another director of the organization.
“Now if he doesn’t perform well too in Irani then he has Ranji Trophy left to score runs on. Just a few days ago, he was doing great at last year’s ODI World Cup when batting. Additionally, injuries were also a factor which needs consideration. Besides that with one remaining round left in Duleep, you never know he could score a century. He needs to regain his form before anything else. Most probably due to his issues related to short balls; it would be difficult for him to visit Australia but you cannot ignore what he did back at home,” he continued.
