No room for Shreyas Iyer in Tests: BCCI official seals star batter's fate, says 'won't go to Australia'

Shreyas Iyer is currently leading the India D team in the Duleep Trophy 2024 edition. The ongoing domestic tournament was a chance for the right-hander to score big and regain his Test spot. With India just announcing the squad for the first Test versus Bangladesh, which commences on Sep 19 (Thursday), he had a chance to impress and make a comeback for the second and final Test. However, Iyer has managed scores of 9, 54, 0 and 41 in four innings. In addition, the Iyer-led side have lost both their games. Thus, his chances of making a Test comeback look bleak at the moment. In this regard, a BCCI official claimed that Iyer has 'no place' in the Test line-up post his Duleep Trophy debacle and stated that he might also not be part of the Test squad for the Australia tour, later this year.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Iyer said, "At the moment, there’s no room for Shreyas to be in the Test team. Who will he replace? Besides, his shot selection has been a concern in Duleep Trophy,especially yesterday (Sunday). He was well set and then suddenly played such a shot (off left-arm spinner Shams Mulani). When you are set and then batting on a flat deck, you need to make the best use of that opportunity."

Further, another BCCI official admitted that Iyer has chances to strengthen his case in the near future, however, a comeback ahead of the Australia tour looks out of the cards owing to his issues with short deliveries. The official stated, "Shreyas could be there (in the Mumbai squad) for the Irani Cup (beginning on Oct 1 in Lucknow). Even if he’s picked for the Bangladesh T20Is (from Oct6), he still might play Irani and then be available from the second T20I onwards. Now, if he doesn’t fire in Irani too, he still has the Ranji Trophy to get runs. It wasn’t too many days ago when he was batting so well in last year’s ODI World Cup. He suffered an injury too, which needs to be considered."

The official added, "Also, with still one round left in Duleep (Trophy), you never know he might score a hundred. He needs to regain form. Most likely he won’t go to Australia for his problems against the short ball, but one can’t just ignore his runs at home."

Iyer last represented India in Tests during the five-match series versus England at home. He featured in the first two games before injury and poor form ruled him out. He has 811 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.86.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led India are gearing up for the two-match Test series opener versus Bangladesh, starting on Sep 19 in Chennai.