Former Indian cricketer turned analyst, Aakash Chopra, recently shared his insights into the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from the squad for the final three Tests between India and England. The selection, announced on February 10, omitted Shreyas, who had scored 104 runs at an average of 26.00 in the first two games, citing complaints of a stiff back and groin pain.
Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, proposed that Shreyas could have been available for the last two Tests but speculated that his batting approach in the Visakhapatnam Test might have influenced the selectors' decision.
According to Chopra, despite the possibility of Shreyas playing in three matches, the selectors opted against his inclusion. Drawing a parallel with Shubman Gill, who faced a similar situation but wasn't sidelined, Chopra emphasized that the concerns raised about Shreyas in the Vizag Test were valid.
Chopra specifically pointed out Shreyas' tendency to step back consistently while facing short deliveries from James Anderson and spinners in the first innings of the Visakhapatnam Test. He expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that such a batting style raises questions about its appropriateness.
Highlighting Shreyas' lack of a half-century in his last 13 Test innings, Chopra suggested that this inconsistency, coupled with his playing style, may have not instilled confidence in the selectors and team management.
While acknowledging Shreyas' commendable performance in the World Cup and anticipating his continued success in white-ball cricket, Chopra emphasized that addressing his batting style is crucial for his sustained success in Test cricket. He believes that Shreyas needs to confront this challenge head-on to establish himself more firmly in the longer format of the game.
In conclusion, Aakash Chopra conveyed his wishes for Shreyas' speedy recovery from his reported ailments. He encouraged the talented batsman to focus on playing extended innings and accumulating substantial runs in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, to bolster his case for future Test selections.
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