India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has struggled to convert starts into big scores in red-ball cricket. In the absence of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, Iyer was promoted to no.4 but he failed to make a mark in Visakhapatnam Test against England. Amidst criticism, there were also calls to bring back veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane but former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg feels that the Mumbai captain does not fit into the current squad. He wants the team management to give a couple more chances to Iyer.
“The way the Test cricket is going, I don't think he will fit into the Indian team. Although Shreyas Iyer has struggled against the short ball, I would want to give him a couple of more opportunities. On bouncer wickets, Iyer struggles a bit and that's where Ajinkya Rahane can play a role offshore,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
Numbers speak
Iyer has scored 104 runs from four innings in the ongoing Test series. His last half-century in the format came against Bangladesh in December 2022.
On the other hand, Rahane has struggled to score in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24. He has scored 31 runs from five innings including two ducks. Rahane made his last Test appearance against West Indies in June 2023. On the Caribbean tour, he managed to score just 11 runs in two outings.
Earlier, he made a comeback into the Test side after Iyer got injured. He registered scores of 89 and 46 in a losing cause in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia.
Hogg hails Bumrah
Meanwhile, Hogg lauded India's pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who took nine wickets in Visakhapatnam including a six-wicket haul in the first innings.
“He is an absolute genius. I thought he was sensational. Just getting the ball to move away and the England batters did not set themselves up for the inswinger. If it swings away, you don't chase it, and the England batters got out chasing it," the 53-year-old said.
After a long break, Rohit Sharma-led India will take on Ben Stokes’ England in the third Test at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot starting February 15.
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