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The Rohit Sharma-led Team India will begin their home Test season as they host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting from September 19. While the Indian team features the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, among others, Shreyas Iyer failed to get a place in the 16-member side for the first Test.
With his recent performances, he continues to remain doubtful to make a return into the side, despite featuring in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. It is to be noted that Iyer last featured in Indian colours during the Test series against England. However, he was ruled out with injury later in the series.
There’s no room for Shreyas in the Test team: BCCI official
Iyer, who was recently seen playing in second round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, could only score 41 runs across two innings. While he departed for a seven-ball duck in the India D first inning, in the second one, he scored a 55-ball 41. He continued to struggle, especially when facing short-pitched deliveries, and so far has amassed only 146 runs in eight innings over the past two years in India.
Having scored only 104 runs across four innings in the ongoing domestic tournament, the Duleep Trophy, a BCCI official delivered some shocking comments on Iyer’s future prospects in the India whites. “At the moment, there’s no room for Shreyas to be in the Test team. Who will he replace? Besides, his shot selection has been a concern in Duleep, especially yesterday (Sunday). He was well set and then suddenly played such a shot (off 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,” a BCCI official told The Telegraph.
Although the road for Iyer looks a challenging one, the BCCI official reiterated that he has to come up good in the Irani Cup and if he is unable to do it there, he will have to perform in Ranji Trophy to get his place back in the Indian squad. “Shreyas could be there (in the Mumbai squad) for the Irani Cup (beginning on October 1 in Lucknow). Even if he’s picked for the Bangladesh T20Is (from October 6), he still might play Irani and then be available from the second T20I onwards. Now, if he doesn’t fire in Irani too, he still has the Ranji Trophy to get runs," he said.
