With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announcing its 16-member squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, there’s been significant discussion surrounding the selections, particularly the absence of Shreyas Iyer. The squad includes a mix of seasoned veterans and a notable debutant, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal. However, the omission of Iyer has sparked considerable debate about his immediate future in Test cricket, a topic addressed by former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra.

Chopra pointed out that Iyer’s last significant contribution came during India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2022, where he played a pivotal role in securing a win in the final Test. Despite that crucial performance, Chopra suggested that Iyer’s recent form has not been up to the mark, which might explain his exclusion from the current squad.

“It’s interesting to note that during our last tour of Bangladesh, Shreyas Iyer delivered a crucial performance in the final match, which was key to our victory. However, since then, his performances have not been consistent. At the moment, I don’t see him making a return to Test cricket in the near future,” Aakash Chopra remarked in a recent YouTube video.

ALSO READ: Kris Srikkanth Supports KL Rahul’s Selection Over Sarfaraz Khan For Bangladesh Test Series

Aakash Chopra also discussed the competition for places within the squad, highlighting that even players currently included in the team, such as Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel, might struggle to secure a spot in the playing XI. This makes it even more challenging for Iyer to re-enter the team.

“Given the current squad, there are at least three players who might not get to play all the matches. So, where does that leave Shreyas Iyer?” Aakash Chopra questioned.

Another player under scrutiny is Ishan Kishan, who has also been out of the Indian team’s radar for a while. Chopra emphasized that Kishan’s best chance to regain his spot is to perform well in the Ranji Trophy. He pointed out that Kishan’s limited opportunities in domestic and international cricket have been a setback, but a strong showing in domestic competitions could turn things around.

“It’s said that Kishan has been sidelined due to fitness issues and limited opportunities in domestic tournaments. He needs to focus on the Ranji Trophy, as it’s the primary platform available now. Scoring runs there could boost his chances of getting back into the national team,” Aakash Chopra explained.

ALSO READ: Eric Bischoff Praises Rishabh Pant’s Return: A “Deadly Combination” of Discipline and Commitment

Chopra acknowledged Kishan’s potential, noting his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his double century in ODIs. “Kishan has shown he can perform at a high level. A good domestic season and a strong IPL performance could see him return to the national setup,” Aakash Chopra added.

Although both Iyer and Kishan were not retained by the BCCI in their retainership list earlier this year, Iyer’s recent involvement in the ODI squad against Sri Lanka suggests that while his Test prospects are uncertain, he remains in the selectors’ thoughts.