Star batter Shreyas Iyer led India's batting charge with a robust knock in the first ODI against England in Nagpur. Shreyas Iyer was one of the three half-centurions in India's four-wicket win over England in series opener on February 6. Meanwhile, former Australia captain and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has questioned Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee for overlooking Iyer in the last couple of years.
Ponting is surprised at Iyer's prolonged absence from the Indian team over the past two years. This is despite Iyer's exceptional performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's campaign to the final. Ponting believes that Iyer's consistent form in the ODI format warrants a permanent spot in the Indian side.
Shreyas Iyer's absence from India side for last couple of years amazes Ricky Ponting
Iyer's contributions to India's 2023 World Cup campaign proved his batting prowess, as he amassed 530 runs in the showpiece event making him the seventh-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Two years down the line Iyer impressed yet again with his exceptional knock in the first ODI against England where he cracked blistering 59 runs off 36 balls during the 249-run chase.
Iyer's strong performances are not limited to international cricket. He has also been in impressive form in the domestic circuit during the 2024-25 season, scoring two centuries for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"I've been a little bit surprised that he's been out of India's side in the last couple of years. He had a terrific World Cup back in India (2023) where he played beautifully in the middle-order and I felt then that he'd almost cemented that spot and made that his own," Ponting said while speaking on the latest episode of ICC Review.
"Then he had those couple of injuries, obviously injured his back and went out of the side, but his domestic season this year has been brilliant," Ponting added.
Ponting also stated that Iyer's domestic performance came around the IPL 2025 auction which saw the star batter becoming the second most expensive batter in the glitzy league with a staggering Rs 26.75 crore deal.
"It sort of coincided with what he's done since around (IPL) auction time going forward in domestic cricket, he has been pretty much outstanding," Ponting concluded.
Ponting and Iyer will unite in the upcoming IPL 2025 with key roles for the Punjab Kings. PBKS head coach Ponting and captain Iyer will be in a bid to end the Punjab-based franchise's IPL title drought.
