Team India’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to return to the Test squad after his underwhelming performance in the Duleep Trophy.
According to the latest reports, Shreyas Iyer will not be included in the national cricket team for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
The Rohit Sharma-led team will begin their busy Test schedule with a two-match series against Bangladesh. India will then host New Zealand for a three-match Test series. The Men in Blue will then travel to Australia for five matches for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series.
Iyer got an opportunity to impress in the Duleep Trophy to get into the Test squad. However, he scored just 104 runs in four innings. He has not been included in the squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh, which starts on September 19 in Chennai.
No Place For Shreyas Iyer In Test Squad – BCCI Official
A BCCI official has expressed doubts about Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Test team, saying there is no place for him in the squad.
The official criticized Iyer for playing a poor innings with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, raising concerns about his straight-field decision-making.
“There is no place for Shreya in the Test team at the moment. Who will replace? Moreover, his shot selection was a concern in Duleep, especially yesterday (Sunday).”
“He was set up well and then all of a sudden he hit a shot like this (left-arm spinner Shams Mulani). When you are ready and then batting straight on deck, you have to make the most of that opportunity,” BCCI said. Telegraf.com reports that it has published official information about it.
The right-handed batsman last played a test match against England earlier this year. Iyer was dropped from the squad after two Test matches against England. He scored 811 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 36.86. Shreyas reached one century and five half centuries in his Test career.
Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Another BCCI official confirmed that Shreyas Iyer will not be included in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to his weakness against short balls. However, the report added that if he performs well in domestic cricket, there is hope that he will make a comeback.
The official added that even if Iyer is selected for the T20I series against Bangladesh, he will play in the Iran Cup. The report stated that Iyer will be considered for selection if he regains form.
“Shreyas could be there (in the Mumbai squad) for the Irani Cup (starting on October 1 in Lucknow). Even if he is selected for the Bangladesh T20Is (from October 6), he can still play the Iranian and then be available from the second T20I onwards.
“Now, if he doesn’t fire in Iran too, there’s still a Ranji trophy to run for. There weren’t many days when he batted very well in last year’s ODI World Cup. He also got an injury and it should be looked into,” said another official of the Board of Directors.
“Also, you never know if Duleep can score a hundred with an over to go. He needs to get back in shape. “He probably won’t go to Australia because of his problems against the short ball, but his runs at home can’t be overlooked.”
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