Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has voiced strong support for Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, suggesting that his omission from India’s recent Test squad has ignited a fire within him. Ponting, who has coached Iyer in the IPL, believes the snub has motivated the stylish right-hander to push his game to another level and prove his critics wrong.
Shreyas Iyer, once considered a fixture in India’s middle-order across formats, found himself sidelined from the Test setup earlier this year. While his ODI form remained impressive, his Test position came under scrutiny following inconsistent performances and injury concerns. Despite averaging close to 45 in Tests and having already notched up key innings in crucial series, Iyer was left out of the squad for India’s latest red-ball assignments.
Speaking about Iyer’s response to the setback, Ponting highlighted the resilience and focus the Mumbai-born cricketer has shown. “I’ve known Shreyas for a while now and he’s not someone who takes disappointment lightly,” Ponting said. “Being dropped from the Test side seems to have made him hungrier. You can see it in his body language, his training intensity, and most importantly, his performances.”
Ponting pointed to Iyer’s recent exploits in domestic cricket and the IPL as proof of his renewed determination. In domestic matches leading into the IPL, Iyer played several gritty innings, including centuries under pressure, showing that he’s far from done as a red-ball player. In the IPL, Iyer has rediscovered his fluency, leading his team’s middle order with calm, assertive stroke play and maturity.
The legendary Australian believes Iyer’s current mindset could work in his favor. “Sometimes, being left out of the side gives players a fresh perspective. It becomes about earning it all over again. Shreyas has shown he’s ready to fight his way back. If he keeps this up, I have no doubt he’ll be back in the Test side soon — and better than ever.”
Ponting also praised Iyer’s ability to play spin, something that remains a key asset for subcontinent batters in Test cricket. “He plays spin better than most players I’ve seen recently. He reads length early, uses his feet well, and doesn’t let bowlers settle — that’s a rare skill in the modern game.”
At 30, Iyer still has plenty of years ahead of him. The snub might have come as a blow, but his reaction to it — rather than the decision itself — is winning admiration across the cricketing world. The hunger to reclaim his spot in the longest format appears to be burning brighter than ever.
As India continues to build towards the next World Test Championship cycle and with crucial overseas tours looming, a return for Shreyas Iyer may not be far away. With the support of figures like Ponting and his own performances doing the talking, it seems the snub has only made Iyer more determined — and more dangerous.