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'Ugly Batting,' - Ex-KKR Batter Opens Up On Shreyas Iyer's Omission From Test Squad

image-lsh5pvz9Iyer has been left out of the Indian team (AP Photo)

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra suggests that Shreyas Iyer's unorthodox batting style might have led to his exclusion from the final three Tests against England after the second Test.

Iyer's absence from the Indian Test squad for the last three matches against England raised eyebrows, especially since there was no official mention of any serious injury. Despite reporting back spasms following the second Test in Vizag, it was deemed not severe enough to sideline him for the entire series. 

However, the selection committee did not provide a specific reason for his omission, leading to speculation that he was dropped.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, the ex-Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter pointed out that Iyer could have been available for selection for the final two Tests. However, he speculated that Iyer's unattractive style of play in contrast to Shubman Gill's approach during the Visakhapatnam Test might have influenced the selectors' decision not to include him.

"Reports indicate he was available for selection considering there were three matches. Even if he missed one, he could have been considered for the remaining two. However, the selectors chose not to pick him. Shubman Gill faced a similar situation, but his batting wasn't criticized. In the Vizag Test, people referred to Iyer's batting as 'ugly', and there may have been some truth to those observations," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Iyer's recent performances have been below par, with his last Test fifty dating back to December 2022. Since the beginning of 2023, he has managed just 187 runs in seven Tests at an average of 17.

On the other hand, Gill responded well to the pressure with a splendid century, silencing his critics in style. Iyer's failure to deliver consistently ultimately led to his exclusion.

While KL Rahul's return to the squad after missing the second Test due to fitness concerns is contingent on his fitness, Rajat Patidar made his debut in his absence. If Rahul remains sidelined for the Rajkot Test, Patidar is likely to retain his place. In Iyer's absence, Sarfaraz Khan is poised to make his long-awaited Test debut and bat at number five.