Wasim Jaffer Reckons Shreyas Iyer Will Lose His Spot When Virat Kohli And Suryakumar Yadav Will Return

Jun 15, 2022 at 3:02 PM

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Wasim Jaffer Reckons Shreyas Iyer Will Lose His Spot When Virat Kohli And Suryakumar Yadav Will Return

Wasim Jaffer has opined on top-order batter Shreyas Iyer’s possible position in India’s T20I side once regular No. 3 Virat Kohli (rested for Proteas series) and the in-form Suryakumar Yadav (now injured) return to the fold. The former opener feels that unless Shreyas Iyer shows “really great form” in his remaining chances, he will have to be content with sitting on the bench.

Virat Kohli has been rested for India’s ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. Whereas Suryakumar Yadav, after scoring 303 runs from just eight IPL 2022 matches, is out with an injury. In their absence, Shreyas Iyer batted at No. 3 and racked up 36 (27) and 40 (35) in India’s first two T20Is against South Africa before scoring 14 (11) in the third game.

Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)
Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

Wasim Jaffer Reckons Shreyas Iyer Will Lose His Spot Unless He Shows Good Form

In an interaction after the third T20I, Wasim Jaffer was asked whether middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer would lose his place if Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav return.

He replied: “I think, yes. Suryakumar Yadav, if he’s fit, walks into Team India and Virat Kohli will be back at No. 3 as well so unless he shows really great form, Shreyas Iyer will lose his spot.”

Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Vira Kohli is all but irreplaceable despite his recent form and troubles which left Shreyas Iyer in direct competition with Suryakumar Yadav.

Currently, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain’s issues against high-pace and his tendency to lose shape against the short-ball are hurting his case for the 2022 T20I World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia. Shreyas Iyer, who has scored 319 T20I runs in 2022 averaging a high 79.75 in 7 T20Is, is India’s second-highest run-getter in T20Is in 2022, just behind Ishan Kishan.

Wasim Jaffer Feels Ishan Kishan Could Perhaps Be A Backup Wicketkeeper In 2022 T20I World cup Indian Squad

While Shreyas Iyer will likely still be a part of the full squad as a batting backup, two other players in the current team – Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad – are vying to be the reserve openers. But Wasim Jaffer feels both youngsters could be on that flight to Australia for different positions.

He said: “Yes, they will be candidates. When KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma return, Ishan Kishan could perhaps be a backup wicketkeeper after Rishabh Pant and Gaikwad [could be there too]. You take 18-20 players so perhaps both could be there.”

Wasim Jaffer (Credits: Twitter)
Wasim Jaffer (Credits: Twitter)

India took a 15-member main squad, which included Ishan Kishan, and three reserves, including Shreyas Iyer, for the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. If the selectors decide to go for just one of Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad then, based on the current form, the former seems to have an edge, with his chart-topping 164 runs and an average of 54.67 trumping the latter’s 81 runs at 27.00 after the same number of games in the ongoing Proteas series.

Speaking on Rishabh Pant, who has struggled to get going this series with just 40 runs and an average of 13.33, Wasim Jaffer denied any concerns about the youngster’s batting style not being suited to the T20 format. Instead, he said, Rishabh Pant just needs better clarity and approach, which will only happen with time and experience.

Wasim Jaffer said: “His game is completely suited to T20s, he just needs a bit better clarity and a bit better approach to his game. The more matches he plays, the better he’ll get.”

Rishabh Pant has scored 723 runs in 46 T20Is at a low average and strike rate of 23.32 and 125.95 respectively with three half-centuries to his name. India’s win in the third T20I means the scoreline now reads 2-1. The fourth match will be another must-win for the hosts and will begin at 7:00 pm IST in Rajkot on Friday, 17 June.

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