In the recent first One Day International (ODI) against England in Nagpur, Shreyas Iyer delivered a standout performance, scoring a rapid 59 runs off 36 balls. His innings was pivotal in India’s successful chase of England’s 249-run target. However, post-match revelations have sparked significant debate regarding team selection decisions.
Iyer disclosed that he was not initially slated to play in the match and was only informed of his inclusion after Virat Kohli developed a swollen knee. He recounted, “I was watching a movie last night. I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from the skipper saying that I may play because Virat has got a swollen knee. I hurried back to my room and went to sleep straight away.”
This revelation has led former cricketers to question the team’s selection strategy. Aakash Chopra expressed his astonishment on social media, stating, “Trying to wrap my head around the revelation that Iyer wasn’t likely to play if Kohli was fit. He’s the first Indian to score 500+ runs batting at No. 4 in a World Cup 2023. How could you bench him?? And if he wasn’t going to play, where was Kohli supposed to bat? At 4? Surely, Gill wasn’t getting pushed to 4.”
Iyer’s performance in the 2023 World Cup, where he amassed over 500 runs batting at the crucial No. 4 position, underscores his importance to the team’s batting lineup. The recent selection decisions have thus raised concerns about the management’s approach to team composition and the criteria used to determine player participation.
As the series progresses, it remains to be seen how the team management addresses these concerns and whether Iyer’s consistent performances will secure him a more assured place in the playing XI.
