Iyer's Test Debut on Hold? Cricket Analyst Urges Patience for India Star

Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut Delayed? Former Cricketer Suggests Patience

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

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

"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 cases of Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, suggesting that Iyer needs to move up the waiting list before being considered for selection.

Iyer's recent form has been remarkable. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. He then carried this momentum into the IPL, where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches and captained Punjab Kings to their first final in nine years.

Despite these achievements, Chopra emphasized that patience is key for red-ball opportunities. "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 contender for a Test spot, continues to make a strong case for himself. Following three half-centuries and a score of 150 in six Tests, he scored 92 for India A against England Lions, followed by a century in an intra-squad match leading up to the England series. This consistent performance keeps him firmly in contention.