Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim said that Shreyas Iyer will be extremely disappointed after not being selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to him, the 26-year-old did nothing wrong to be dropped.
However, Shreyas Iyer has returned to competitive cricket on Wednesday, where he managed to score an unbeaten 47 and helped his side win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Notably, he was out of action after having sustained a shoulder injury during the home series against England earlier this year as well.
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While talking about Shreyas Iyer’s comeback, Karim said on the Kheelneeti podcast that he should be in the T20 World Cup squad. Karim said: “Basic rule for selectors is that their memory should not be short. Secondly, there should be continuity in the selection process. It will be very difficult for Shreyas Iyer to accept that he is not part of the T20 World Cup squad. In the home series against England, Shreyas Iyer was the No. 1 quality player in the top order. He performed really well and then got injured. He did nothing wrong. Suddenly, for him to not be part of the team (for the T20 World Cup), I think it is really unfair.”
While taking a dig at the selectors, he further added that the board shouldn’t forget those players who have performed for the team earlier.
Saba Karim stated: “You cannot forget players who have performed for you. Six months back, he was a big player in the team. Just because a new player has come in and scored runs, that doesn’t mean you can forget and exclude your top player who was scoring runs before he got injured. This (IPL) is a big chance for Shreyas Iyer to prove that what the selectors have done to him is wrong. And, I am sure he will be back in the Indian T20 team soon.”
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Shreyas Iyer, who was earlier the Delhi Capitals captain last season, has returned as a player, as the franchise decided to go with Rishabh Pant as captain for the rest of the IPL 2021 season as well. The veteran shared: “Because of Shreyas Iyer’s comeback, DC is looking a lot more complete. Earlier, the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Steve Smith were batting at three. As a result, Nortje was not able to play. So there was a weak link in the line-up. But now, since Shreyas Iyer has returned, and is batting at three, DC have four overseas players who can contribute significantly to the team’s cause.”
“They have two class pacers (Rabada and Nortje) plus Stoinis (if fit for the upcoming games). Also, there is Shimron Hetmyer. So, because of Shreyas Iyer’s comeback, the team is looking a lot more balanced and DC will benefit from the same in the upcoming matches,” Saba Karim concluded.
