Table of Contents

Shreyas Iyer didn’t find a place in former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif’s line-up for the Rohit Sharma-led side against hosts England for the final Test of the incompleted 5-match Test series. In 4 Test matches at home, Shreyas Iyer has averaged 55 while winning a couple of player of the match awards.

The focus of the Indian team will shift to the UK tour following the completion of the five-match T20I series against South Africa. While the white-ball limited-overs side will play two T20Is against Ireland while the first-choice team led by Rohit Sharma will face the rejuvenated England side in the final Test of the yet-incompleted series.

Shreyas Iyer didn't find a place in Mohammad Kaif's playing XI for India for the final Test against England | Photo: BCCI — Shreyas Iyer didn’t find a place in Mohammad Kaif’s playing XI for India for the final Test against England | Photo: BCCI

Shreyas Iyer Who Hasn’t Played An Overseas Test Have To Wait For His Chance: Mohammad Kaif

With Ravichandran Ashwin contracting COVID-19 and Ajinkya Rahane not part of the squad, the team is likely to see a couple of changes from the last time they took on England at the Oval in September last year. Since then, Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer have become regular members of the side.

However, Cheteshwar Pujara with a string of fabulous performances in the County Championship has again put his name in the mix to be included in the playing XI. Talking about his playing XI for the Edgbaston Test starting July 1, former India batter Mohammad Kaif preferred Cheteshwar Pujara over Shreyas Iyer in the side.

Speaking ahead of India’s practice game against Leicestershire, Mohammmad Kaif said, “Pujara has been in fantastic form in England and I think he might get the opportunity to bat at No. 3 while Shreyas Iyer who hasn’t played an overseas Test match might have to wait for his chance.”

Cheteshwar Pujara- DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP

Shreyas Iyer, who made his debut in the longest format of the game against New Zealand in Kanpur, has played 4 Tests and has an average of 55. However, with Cheteshwar Pujara scoring 720 runs in 5 County matches in the UK, the veteran batter is likely to be preferred at No. 3 with Hanuma Vihari occupying the No. 5 slot.

Mohammad Kaif: India Will Have To Work Hard As Beating England Under Ben Stokes And Brendon McCullum Isn’t Easy

India is 2-1 ahead in the series, however, the current England team under new skipper Ben Stokes and new Test coach Brendon McCullum is very different and the visitors will have their task cut out as the hosts have made a statement against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match series taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.

“This is a very different England side. The moment McCullum became the coach of this side, this team is playing attacking cricket, this team is chasing targets, they are not playing for a draw.

“The match that India won at Lord’s last year, that England team was bundled inside 50 overs, this is not that team. Root has been in fantastic form, so India will have to work hard, beating this England team won’t be that easy,” Kaif added.

Mohammad Kaif went with a top-order filled by the skipper, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Hanuma Vihari form the middle order that will need to fire in the one-off Test.

According to Mohammad Kaif, Team India will include four fast-bowlers, one spinner, and six batsmen. He said instead of Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav might get a chance as the fourth fast-bowler. Shardul Thakur will make his place as a bowling all-rounder, he further added.

Mohammad Kaif’s playing XI for Edgbaston Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja/Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah