Shreyas Iyer’s Test Return Possible but Competitive: Ravi Shastri
The Indian cricket team has been going through a transition phase, with several young players making their mark in the longest format of the game. Among those players is Shreyas Iyer, who last featured in a Test match against England in February last year. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has now opened up on Iyer’s prospects of returning to the Test team, stating that it is possible but competitive.
Iyer, who is currently the captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been in fine form in the shorter formats of the game. His aggressive batting style and ability to play both pace and spin have made him a valuable asset for his team. However, he has not been able to translate his form into the Test arena, where he has struggled to make an impact.
Shastri, who was the head coach of the Indian team until last year, believes that Iyer has the potential to return to the Test team, but he will have to fight for his place. “Shreyas Iyer can be part of the Test team, but it’s going to be again going to be a competition. Test cricket, we have got to see who the other players are around,” Shastri said in an interview.
Iyer’s last Test match was against England in February last year, where he scored 27 runs in two innings. Since then, he has not been able to break into the Test squad, with players like Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara dominating the middle-order.
However, Shastri’s words of encouragement suggest that Iyer is still in the reckoning for a Test comeback. The former coach has always been a strong supporter of Iyer, and his comments are likely to motivate the young batsman to work harder and improve his game.
Shastri’s remarks also highlight the intense competition for places in the Indian Test team. With players like Vihari, Rahane, and Pujara already established in the middle-order, Iyer will have to fight hard to break into the squad. The presence of other talented batsmen like Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Suryakumar Yadav will also make it tough for Iyer to get a spot.
Despite the competition, Shastri believes that Iyer has the potential to make an impact in Test cricket. “He’s a very talented player, and he’s got a lot of potential. He’s got the ability to play both pace and spin, and he’s got a very good temperament,” Shastri said.
Iyer’s IPL form will be closely watched by the Indian selectors, who will be looking for players who can adapt to different conditions and oppositions. If he can maintain his good form in the IPL and show his ability to play different shots and oppositions, he may get a chance to return to the Test team.
In conclusion, Shreyas Iyer’s Test comeback is possible but competitive, according to Ravi Shastri. The young batsman will have to fight hard to break into the Indian Test team, but Shastri’s words of encouragement suggest that he is still in the reckoning. Iyer’s IPL form will be crucial in determining his chances of returning to the Test team, and if he can maintain his good form, he may get a chance to make an impact in the longest format of the game.
