Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut on Hold: Analyst Cites Competition Despite Strong Form

Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut Delayed, According to Cricket Analyst

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has tempered expectations regarding Shreyas Iyer's potential inclusion in the Indian Test squad, despite his impressive performances across all formats in recent months.

Iyer during a match (AP Photo)

While Iyer was a standout performer in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory and shone in both the IPL and the domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes that several other players are ahead of him in the Test selection pecking order.

"Shreyas Iyer won’t get a chance now. Many others haven’t gotten a chance either," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He highlighted the backlog of players awaiting their opportunity, including Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel. "If he cannot even get among those who are in the waiting line, then how can he be considered for selection?" he questioned.

Iyer's recent form has been remarkable. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. This was followed by a stellar IPL season where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches, leading Punjab Kings to their first final in nine years.

Chopra emphasized the need for patience, suggesting that Test opportunities will arise in due time. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, took Punjab Kings to the final, did well in white-ball cricket — but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit."

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan, another hopeful, continues to make a strong case for himself. After scoring three fifties and a century in six Tests, he further solidified his claim with a score of 92 for India A against England Lions, followed by a century in an intra-squad match preceding the England series.