Aakash Chopra opens up on Shreyas Iyer’s place in Test team amid series against England

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons selectors made the right call in ignoring Shreyas Iyer for the Test tour of England. Iyer scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand at Kanpur and has an average of 36.86 in 14 Test matches, scoring 811 runs. The Mumbai batter last played a Test match back in February 2024 against England. 

Iyer scored 480 runs in five Ranji Trophy 2024-25 matches at an impressive average of 68.57, but chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the Mumbai batter needs to perform more at the domestic level.

“No, Sir. There is no issue in batting in any case, and his number will not come now. I mean it won’t come immediately. The number can come any time, but it wasn’t supposed to come now because the others haven’t gotten an opportunity,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel when asked about Iyer’s place in the Test team.

Chopra highlighted that batters like Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair are waiting in the wings for their chances and thus Iyer’s place was doubtful.

“If you think about it, Karun Nair has played just now. You are unable to give Sarfaraz Khan an opportunity. Dhruv Jurel is sitting outside. So when the players who are already there aren’t getting full opportunities, how will Shreyas’ number come? So there was no chance of Shreyas Iyer’s number coming now,” he observed.

The renowned commentator said Iyer’s time will come but he will need to wait for his chance.

“Yes, I know, since he had a very good first-class season, had a good IPL, made the team win, and all of that, it’s beautiful, white-ball cricket, but Test cricket, especially away from home, his time will come, but I think it won’t come now. He will have to wait a little more,” he said.

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.