Ian Chappell Questions Shreyas Iyer's Spin-Playing Ability

image-leqns0mwShreyas Iyer [Source: AP]

On Wednesday, Australia dismantled India in the first session of the third Test in Indore, bundling them out for a paltry 109 in the first innings. On a spin-friendly pitch, Australian spinners, particularly Matthew Kuhnemann, wreaked havoc, leaving India in disarray. 

Whenever India play at home, the focus shifts to the batters who play spin well. Similarly, when India were reeling at 44 for 4, the home crowd expected the courageous Shreyas Iyer to bail his side out of trouble. 

However, the Mumbai batter continued his poor run in the series, being cleaned up by Kuhnemann for a silver duck. 

Considering Iyer's recent failures in home conditions, legendary Australian cricketer-turned-broadcaster Ian Chappell questioned his spin-playing ability. 

The 79-year-old dismissed Iyer's popularity as a skilful spin player, admitted to not being impressed with him yet.

"I keep hearing that Shreyas Iyer is a very good player of spin bowling, but I haven’t seen it yet, and I’m not convinced that he is. To me, he is a bit of a panicker. There are some players in the Indian side that haven’t convinced me that they’re good players of spin bowling."

"I thought that the Australians spooked India early on. A couple of things happened with the pitch. The Australian spinners bowled very accurately. But what we saw was Australian-type batting from the Indians."

Meanwhile, Australia are in a commanding position in the Indore Test, well-placed at 191 for six as of writing.