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Players Whom India Can Drop To Bring Shreyas Iyer Back In Test Squad For WI Series

Debashis Sarangi

Karun Nair could be replaced by Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, @KKR_Xtra/X]Karun Nair could be replaced by Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, @KKR_Xtra/X]

Experienced cricketer Shreyas Iyer is all set to lead the Indian A side in the upcoming unofficial Test series against Australia-A. On Saturday, the BCCI unveiled India-A squad for the home series, naming Iyer as the captain of the side. 

According to the emerging reports, Shreyas Iyer is likely to make a comeback into the Indian Test side for the home series against West Indies. As the Mumbaikar gears up to rejuvenate his Test career, here are three players from the England series who could be sidelined to make room for him. 

Karun Nair

Why could India drop Karun Nair to bring Iyer for WI Tests?

Criterion
Data
Innings8
Runs205
Average25.63
Scores less than 305

(Karun Nair's middling stats in England Tests)

  • Karun Nair made a dramatic return to India's Test squad after having a stellar domestic season. However, the right-hander couldn't live up to the expectations in the England Tests. 
  • Statistically, Nair managed only 205 runs at a modest average of 25.63. More importantly, he failed both as a top and middle-order batter, letting India down with a string of underwhelming performances, 
  • Therefore, if the Indian think tank is planning to bring Shreyas Iyer back into the Test fold, Karun Nair could be one of the frontrunners to get dropped from the red-ball format. 

B Sai Sudharsan

Why could India drop B Sai Sudharsan to bring Iyer for WI Tests?

  • B Sai Sudharsan received a surprising Test call-up following his batting heroics in the 2025 Indian Premier League season, where he won the prestigious orange cap. 
  • However, the England bowlers exposed Sudharsan's technical limitations, with his inexperience affecting India on the tour. The southpaw's unreadiness for Test cricket was quite evident. It seemed like he has still a lot of work to do in order to shape himself as a potent Test batter. 
  • Therefore, Sudharsan's disappointing run in the England series might force India to snub him from the West Indies series if Iyer makes his comeback. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy

Why could India drop Nitish Kumar Reddy to bring Iyer for WI Tests?

  • Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was useful with the ball in the England series. The right-arm medium pacer used the English conditions to his advantage, scalping three crucial wickets in the Lord's Test. 
  • However, Reddy hasn't been quite successful with the bat in recent times. After averaging just over 22 in the IPL 2025, the Hyderabad cricketer could score only 45 runs at an average of 11.25 in the England Tests. 
  • So, considering a seam-bowling all-rounder might not play a significant role on India's spin-friendly pitches, the Indian think tank can consider bringing Shreyas Iyer at Reddy's expense. 

P.S: Swashbuckling wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is currently recovering from a foot injury that he sustained during the England tour. Therefore, with Dhruv Jurel likely to don the wicketkeeper's hat, India also have a chance to get a pure batter like Iyer as a replacement for Pant.