Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s primary ODI setup, despite his outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, has sparked a major debate about team selection, strategy, and fairness in Indian cricket. Having accumulated 530 runs in 11 matches at an average of 66.25, Iyer was a pillar of India’s middle order during the tournament. More significantly, he became the first-ever Indian batter at No. 4 to breach the 500-run mark in an ICC tournament, a feat that should have cemented his place in the Indian team for the foreseeable future. However, instead of consolidating his position as a key middle-order batter, Iyer has inexplicably found himself dropped from the Test and T20I teams, excluded from India’s plans in key formats, and even stripped of his BCCI central contract. Once considered a future captaincy candidate, he was sent back to the domestic circuit with the expectation that he would grind his way back into the team.
Despite being sidelined in multiple formats, Iyer was part of the only ODI series India played in 2024. However, his comments following his impressive knock against England in the Nagpur ODI suggest that his role in the squad is anything but secure. His post-match statement revealed that he was not originally in the playing XI and was only included because Virat Kohli suffered a swollen knee at the last minute. This revelation raises serious concerns about the selection process. Why was India’s best No. 4 batter from the World Cup not in the preferred XI? Since when does Virat Kohli bat at No. 4 for India in ODIs? If Iyer was only a backup, what did he do wrong to be pushed out of the primary lineup?
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra echoed these sentiments, expressing shock and frustration over Iyer’s exclusion. He pointed out that Gill wasn’t likely to bat at No. 4, so if Iyer wasn’t part of the initial XI, it begs the question: where was Kohli supposed to bat? The lack of transparency in selection decisions has left both fans and experts bewildered. It is particularly concerning because India is on the verge of the Champions Trophy, a tournament that will be played in spin-friendly conditions in Dubai, where a middle-order batter with Iyer’s skillset is a necessity. If Iyer is not considered for this crucial tournament, India risks creating a significant weakness in its batting lineup.
Iyer’s match-winning 36-ball 59 against England in Nagpur was a testament to his evolving game. While he has always been recognized for his superb ability against spin, his innings showcased a much-needed improvement against express pace—a previous vulnerability in his game. Facing Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood, two of England’s fastest bowlers, Iyer played audacious pulls and cuts, dismantling the opposition’s plans. His two massive sixes off Archer were particularly eye-catching and earned praise from cricketing legends like Kevin Pietersen and Parthiv Patel.
Pietersen marveled at Iyer’s ability to take on high-velocity short-pitched deliveries, noting that he played with effortless timing and confidence. Patel, meanwhile, highlighted a key technical adjustment in Iyer’s game. In previous outings, Iyer was often guilty of moving away from the line of short-pitched deliveries, exposing his vulnerability against pace. However, in Nagpur, he stood his ground, got inside the line of the ball, and played square of the wicket with precision. This newfound clarity and confidence against fast bowling make his omission from the playing XI all the more perplexing.
Looking ahead, if Iyer is left out of the Champions Trophy squad to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, India will not only miss a highly capable batter against spin but also disrupt the very balance and stability they have spent years trying to build. Iyer has already proven his resilience by excelling in domestic cricket, leading an IPL-winning team, and delivering in high-pressure international matches. The fact that he is still being treated as a backup option defies logic and raises serious questions about the selection policy. If a batter who dominated an entire World Cup from the No. 4 position, fixed his technical flaws, and proved his worth against both spin and pace is still not guaranteed a spot in the XI, then what more must he do to secure his place?
