Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli has withdrawn from first two IND vs ENG Tests, starting on January 25 in Hyderabad due to personal reasons. While Kohli’s absence will be a big blow for the hosts, it could be a blessing for a struggling Shreyas Iyer, who is likely to find a place in Playing XI in veteran’s absence
Iyer had a horror outing in the two-match Test series against South Africa. The middle-order batter managed to score only 41 runs with an average of 13.67 in four innings.
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No KL Rahul VS Shreyas Iyer! It is KL AND Iyer
Earlier, the race for the number 5 spot was between KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. KL made his wicketkeeping debut in the Test in South Africa and performed brilliantly with the bat. However, the team management are more keen to have a full-time wicketkeeper in spin friendly conditions and this were planning toplay Rahul purely as a batter.
With KL Rahul set to play as a batter and not wicketkeeper, it was certain that KS Bharat will get a nod over Shreyas Iyer in the XI. However, with Virat’s withdrawal, Iyer is most likely to get a spot in Playing eleven.
Now, the onus would be on him to capitalize on the opportunity that has fallen into his hands.
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