Indian cricket veteran Virender Sehwag raises queries over Shreyas Iyer's absence from the India Test squad: "He performed exceptionally well this season, and he also captains a team."
India's Test squad for the England tour, announced Saturday, sees the rise of Shubman Gill as captain and Rishabh Pant as his deputy, yet the team will be without Shreyas Iyer. Despite his consistent performances in the IPL 2025 and adapting well in the ODI format, Iyer was not included due to concerns over his red-ball skills.
Iyer, a key figure during Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2023/24 season, couldn't secure a spot in the Test team despite an impressive run of 480 runs averaging 68.57. The selectors appear to have reservations about whether his batting style, ideally suited for white-ball cricket, translates effectively in Tests.
Former cricketer Ajit Agarkar has remarked that Iyer's Test-cap participation is unlikely, hinting that other candidates were given priority over him. The squad for England includes newcomers like Sai Sudarshan and the return of Karun Nair, who were picked ahead of Iyer.
The exclusion of Iyer from the Test series, given his remarkable showings in other formats, underscores the selectors' emphasis on players they deem suitable for prolonged Test cricket.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has voiced his disappointment over the decision and encouraged the BCCI to reconsider Iyer's Test candidacy. Sehwag opined that Iyer's aggressive approach, which has aided India's success in ODIs, could pose challenges for England in away conditions. If Iyer can maintain his current approach in Tests, it could significantly benefit the team.
[1] https://www.cricinfo.com/..., [2] https://www.espncricinfo.com/..., [3] https://www.indiatoday.in/..., [4] https://www.indiatimes.com/..., [5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/...
Despite Shreyas Iyer's impressive performances in the IPL 2025 and adaptability in the ODI format, his exclusion from India's Test squad for the England tour signifies the selectors' focus on players suited for prolonged Test cricket. Moreover, Shreyas Iyer's omission in Test cricket, given his success in other formats, sparks discussions about the potential benefits his aggressive approach could bring to the team in away conditions.
