Former India cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra praised Shreyas Iyer as he prepares for an international comeback in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Chopra also opined on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s exclusion for Iyer, claiming that no one has performed as well as the latter at No. 4 in ODIs recently as well.

With Shreyas Iyer recovering from the rib injury sustained during the Australia tour, Gaikwad batted at No.4 during the home series against South Africa as well. He also showcased his mettle at No. 4 despite playing as an opener in domestic cricket, smashing a hundred in Raipur. Iyer, however, averaged
almost 50 in ODIs in 2025 and over 50 in 2022 and 2023 as well.

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Speaking in a video uploaded on X, Chopra said: “Ruturaj Gaikwad plays out of position and scores a ton but still can’t find a place in the 15-man squad. But why? Because Shreyas Iyer has returned and it makes sense because he is the vice-captain of the Indian team. No one has played better at No.4 than him in the last 2-3 years. It is obvious. But the big question is when Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No.4, was it not an opportunity to slot Rishabh Pant in that position? Rishabh Pant is not being dropped and he is your backup keeper. With KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the side, Pant will anyway struggle to find a spot. Pant didn’t play in the Champions Trophy and in the previous ODI series either. There was an opportunity in the previous series but you didn’t give him a chance.”

He also raised the same question for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, stating that he cannot become Hardik Pandya’s long-term replacement by warming the bench as well.

“When they didn’t think of Pant, rumours began spreading that he must be dropped and Ishan Kishan should be drafted in because he is doing well in domestic cricket. Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar and Ruturaj Gaikwad were given opportunities at the top. But Tilak and Gaikwad have been dropped and Pant is still in the side. The question is do you not want to give your long-term candidate an opportunity? The same goes for Nitish Kumar Reddy. What are we even doing? We want to be future ready in case Hardik Pandya is injured or unavailable and we need his replacement. He is not going to get ready by warming the bench,” Aakash Chopra concluded.