Sourav Ganguly Backs Shreyas Iyer (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com, @SirJadeja/x.com)
Despite continuous success in the domestic circuit and even at the IPL, Shreyas Iyer is still finding his place in Team India’s squad. As the Indian side has already reached England for the five-match Test series, Shreyas Iyer’s absence is raising eyebrows.
After Shreyas Iyer’s surprise omission from the squad, the team management faced tough questions, with former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly adding his voice. Ganguly backed Shreyas, insisting the talented batter deserves a spot in the Test squad.
Ganguly Puts Management In The Hot Seat Over Iyer's Snub
Even after a blistering performance in the domestic stage and IPL, Shreyas Iyer remained away from the Indian side, mostly in the longest format. He played his last Test in February 2024 against England on home soil and has since been away from the format. As Team India headed to England for the five-Test series, he was surprisingly left out by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel.
As the move raised eyebrows, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly raised his voice over this move. He didn’t hold back, questioning the decision and backing Iyer during a chat with RevSportz, reported by Hindustan Times.
“He has been playing at his best in the last one year, and should have been in this team. Last one year has been fantastic for him. He isn’t the player who got left out. He is now scoring under pressure, taking responsibility, playing the short ball well. Although Test cricket’s different, I would have had him in this series to see what he can do,” Ganguly said.
Will India Rise In England With The New Setup?
After Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Virat Kohli’s retirements, Team India finds itself in a transition phase under Shubman Gill’s captaincy. With their big names gone, the squad’s experience has become a talking point. When Sourav Ganguly was asked if India could continue their legacy, the former Indian skipper was optimistic about that.
“Yes, sure. We just need two things, batting well and [Jasprit] Bumrah remaining fit. We won in Australia, in Melbourne (2020-21), with a young batting line-up, having no [Virat] Kohli, no Rohit Sharma. So, I do not see why we cannot win,” he added.
Team India is starting a new chapter of Gill’s era on June 11 as both sides are set to face each other at Headingley in the first Test of the five-match Test series.
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