Former India opener Wasim Jaffer said that there is no question of Virat Kohli’s place in India’s XI despite Shreyas Iyer’s red hot form. Iyer scored three consecutive unbeaten fifties in the series. In the series, he scored 204 runs with a strike rate of 174.35.
He broke Kohli’s record for the most runs by an Indian batsman in a 3-match series. Kohli scored 199 runs in a series against Australia in 2016.
In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Wasim Jaffer lauded Iyer’s efforts in the series. He observed that his confidence was high and he single-handedly dominated the Sri Lankan attack.
“He was outstanding right throughout the series, didn’t get out even a single game, and literally pulled the series by himself.
“Really really happy with the way he’s shown confidence, the way he’s taken the responsibility, which just adds a little bit of a good headache for the Indian management – what to do with Shreyas Iyer when Virat Kohli comes back?” Wasim Jaffer said.
However, he still has doubts about how he will be fitted in the XI when all players will be available for selection.
Virat can open, Shreyas Iyer can bat at 3, suggests Wasim Jaffer
“I think it’s going to be a challenge. Obviously, Virat supersedes Shreyas Iyer without a doubt. But you would want to squeeze in Shreyas Iyer in this 11 looking at his current. But who goes out?
“Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja coming back – all those guys – it’s going to be hard to pick those six or seven batters. A good headache for the people who matter,” Jaffer added.
He suggested that Virat might be moved to open the innings to slot Shreyas Iyer in the team. He heaped praises on all youngsters who grabbed their opportunities in the series.
“The management will be happy that they’ve got Shreyas Iyer in such good form. It’s just good news. The Indian management won’t mind it – they can play him at No. 4, No. 5 if needed or Kohli can open. It just brings so much balance.
“It’s just good news. It’s very good to see everyone who’s coming in whether it’s Avesh Khan, (Ravi) Bishnoi, or Venkatesh Iyer grabbing those opportunities,” he concluded.