Shreyas Iyer’s Test career has taken a concerning turn, with recent performances casting doubt on his future in the Indian Test squad. Despite his brilliant debut against New Zealand in Kanpur three years ago, his place in the Test format is now uncertain.
Iyer’s struggles have been evident, especially against short-pitched deliveries overseas, and his form has faltered even at home, where he has managed only 146 runs in eight innings over the past two years. His recent showing in the 2024 Duleep Trophy, where he captained India D, provided a chance to revive his Test hopes, but he fell short, scoring just 104 runs in four innings.
A BCCI official gave a blunt assessment of Iyer’s situation, saying, “At the moment, there’s no room for Shreyas in the Test team. Who will he replace? His shot selection has been a concern, especially in Duleep. He was well set and then suddenly played a poor shot off Shams Mulani. On a flat deck, you need to make the most of your opportunity.”
The road ahead for Iyer is challenging, with limited chances to prove his value. Although he still has opportunities in the final round of the Duleep Trophy and the upcoming Irani Cup, another BCCI official raised doubts about his inclusion in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.
“Shreyas could be in the Mumbai squad for the Irani Cup. Even if he’s picked for the Bangladesh T20Is, he might play Irani and join the T20s later,” the official said. He also acknowledged Iyer’s strong performance in last year’s ODI World Cup and his injury issues, stating, “If he doesn’t perform in the Irani Cup, he still has the Ranji Trophy to regain form. He won’t likely go to Australia due to his issues with the short ball, but we can’t ignore his runs at home.”