Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan spoke about Shreyas Iyer’s poor innings in the second test against England. He said the batter wasted an opportunity and might have to pay for it.
Shreyas Iyer’s torrid run in Test cricket continued as he returned with another low score in the longest format of the game. The batsman once again wasted a crucial opportunity and returned to the hut after another solid start to the game.
Shreyas Iyer has been going through a rough patch of late in Test cricket and the ongoing series would have been crucial for them. However, he was not meant to be that way as he has so far failed in both games and his place in the team has been seriously scrutinized in the longer format.
Shreyas Iyer managed just 29 runs off 52 deliveries and couldn’t get going at all. He looked solid at the crease once again, but he couldn’t continue after that. He died while attempting an attacking shot and it was the third time in the series that he went out in a similar manner.
Zaheer Khan believes that the second innings was a moment for Shreyas Iyer and he wasted an opportunity. He said that the batsman lost his wicket while he was trying to be dominant and that he might have to pay for it. Speaking during a discussion at Colors Cineplex, he explained:
“You need to understand the moments that are important for you and the team, and I think that was a moment for Shreyas Iyer as well. Anderson had failed the spell on him. He is just playing a fast bowler and after that, he was going to use spin.”
“You have a first-class ability to play spin. Then you wasted an opportunity. You lost your ground while trying to be dominant and you may have to pay for it, considering the situation you are talking about.”
The selectors will sit again and select the team after these two test matches – Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan further added that the selectors will choose a team based on the performances of the first two games. He believes that with the return of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, it will be difficult for Shreyas Iyer to make it to the XI.
The former Indian pacer added that Shubman Gill is ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the race. Speaking about the same, he explained:
“TThe selectors will sit again and select the team after these two test matches. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli could return. So if two players come in, two players will also come out of the XI because they are players who will immediately take their places in the XI.
“So if you don’t score runs or show that you are fully prepared, that you can understand any situation, show maturity and contribute to the team, then Gill is definitely ahead in the race and you can say that Shreyas wasted an opportunity.”
With four failures in four innings, it remains to be seen what Shreyas Iyer’s future will be in the team.