India cricket team batter Shreyas Iyer did not have a great outing in the first Duleep Trophy game against India C. The tournament marked the middle-order batter’s return to a major domestic red-ball tournament as he eyes to make his return to India’s Test side in IND vs BAN series. However, the task at hand is very tall for Iyer and is in no way easy to achieve.
Can Shreyas Iyer make India comeback via Duleep Trophy
Let’s first talk about Iyer’s performance in the Duleep Trophy opener against India C. Leading India D, Iyer got out for just 9 runs in the 1st innings, lasting for just 16 deliveries before walking back to the pavilion. He redeemed himself in the 2nd innings with a half-cemury, alebit in a losing cause.
Iyer showed an aggressive intent during his 54-run knock off 44 deliveries. He majorly dealt in boundaries, striking nine boundaries and one six, which means only fours run were taken by running between the wickets. Sadly for Shreyas, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India C clinched a comprehensive 6-wicket win over India D.
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Will Iyer’s performance in just one innings of a match be enough to regain his spot in India’s Test squad? The answer is simply no. The selectors are keeping an eye on the Duleep Trophy and will pick the squad for IND vs BAN and the upcoming Test season based on the performances of the players in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer vs KL Rahul? Both flop in Duleep Trophy opener
While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were touted to be in a battle for the number six spot in the Test side, the situation seems to be changing quickly after the opening round of Duleep Trophy. As for KL Rahul, he only managed to score 37 runs despite lasting for 111 deliveries in India A’s 1st innings against India B. Both Iyer and Rahul’s performances have not been very convincing and the duo certainly haven’t made a case yet for their inclusion in the Test side.
Iyer last featured in a Test in the IND vs ENG series in February. He then refused to play Ranji Trophy despite being asked to do so by the selectors and cited injury for skipping the tournament. As a result, he was left out from BCCI’s central contracts list. He was snubbed from India’s T20 World Cup squad too and only made his white-ball comeback in IND vs SL series.
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Who are Iyer’s competitors for spot in India Test squad?
Shreyas Iyer faces a stiff competition from other stars who are also vying for a spot in the Test side. First on the list is Sarfaraz Khan. After failing to fire in the 1st innings of India B’s game against India A, he bounced back with a 46-run knock off 36 deliveries. The swashbucking batter, who has an impressive domestic record, made his debut in the IND vs ENG series and will be eyeing to regain his spot in the side.
Next on the list is all-rounder Axar Patel. He played a lone-warrior knock in India D’s 1st innings after a top-order collapse. A handy option for India, Axar can contribute with both bat & ball and can do wonders for India at home, if the surfaces favour spinners.
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