Team India will probably be missing out on the services of Virat Kohli for the next two Test matches as well as per the latest reports of ESPNCricinfo. Now this intensifies the battle for the spots in the Indian middle-order. The most obvious question is who should be India’s number four? Maybe Shreyas Iyer? Maybe…
It goes without a saying that VK would have played a crucial role in the engine room of the Indian team but as things stand they will have to make do with either Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul if he chooses to return. However, Shreyas Iyer’s recent form has been a matter of concern and truth be told, he may not be firing on all cylinders again. At least we believe that it is important that India takes some hard calls and drop the bomb on the big man. Here are two reasons why.
#1 Bleak past and it is spilling onto the future
The last four Tests played by Iyer has seen him score 31, 6, 0, 4*, 35, 13, 27 and 29. More importantly what is more frustrating that he has failed to convert those starts into something big and till the time this painful showdown continues, his future is looking even more bleak. With so much uncertainty, with so much desperation that has been bogging the brilliance of Iyer, it is expected that he may take some time and more preparations to get back in his real shape.
We believe in Shreyas Iyer. He will come back with a big knock. #Shreyas Iyer #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JBZusUNNeE
— Yogesh Aswani (@yogeshaswani88) February 6, 2024
#2 His confidence has hit the rock-bottom
In international cricket, confidence plays a key role and once a player hits rock-bottom, there is no one coming to save him. He would barely break free and more to that, he is consuming a spot in the side which can be taken by a talented player and someone who is famished for a chance. With England’s bowlers doing the tricks, Iyer may just take a backseat for a moment and start focusing on domestic cricket.
