After months of speculation and absence from red-ball cricket, Indian batting mainstay Shreyas Iyer has finally expressed a strong intent to return to the longest format. The 29-year-old has made himself available for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, a move that signals his ambition to stage a comeback to India’s Test side.

The Mumbai Cricket Association has confirmed that Iyer will be up for selection in the West Zone squad, ahead of the tournament that starts on August 28. India, currently battling England in the fifth Test and trailing the series 1-2, has had mixed returns from their middle-order batters. While Shubman Gill’s captaincy and form have stood out, Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan have not lived up to expectations at the pivotal No. 3 spot.

Iyer, with 14 Tests and 811 runs to his name at an average of 36.86, brings both experience and aggression — traits that coach Gautam Gambhir could greatly value. Iyer has not played a Test since February 2024 but has remained an integral part of India’s white-ball plans.

ALSO READ: Yuzvendra Chahal Opens Up On Divorce Trauma: “Had Suicidal Thoughts, Cried for Hours”

He was a key figure in India’s successful 2025 Champions Trophy campaign and featured prominently in the 2023 World Cup. His IPL journey has also been impressive — he led KKR to a maiden title in 2024 and was snapped up by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore in the 2025 mega auction, later leading them to the IPL final.

Shreyas Iyer has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, scheduled to start on August 2️⃣8️⃣.

Source: Devendra Pandey (The Indian Express)#ShreyasIyer #DuleepTrophy #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/wtersXio6Z

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) August 1, 2025

Alongside Iyer, several other domestic and international players are also eyeing the Duleep Trophy as a stepping stone back into the national setup. Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, and pacer Tushar Deshpande have all conveyed their availability.

This creates a strong pool of talent for West Zone selectors to work with, especially since senior India players like Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj are expected to be rested after a taxing England tour. The upcoming 2025–26 domestic season officially kicks off with the Duleep Trophy and will culminate with the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy on April 3 next year.

ALSO READ: ‘We want to wheel Bumrah out, but also want to respect where his body’s at’ – Ryan ten Doeschate

For Iyer and several others, this Duleep Trophy is more than just another tournament — it’s a chance to reinstate their red-ball credentials and knock on the selectors’ door with a bang. For Indian cricket, it’s an opportunity to assess their depth and reinforce the middle order with in-form, proven talents.