Shreyas Iyer Faces Test Team Wait Despite Strong Form, Says Analyst

Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Suggests Cricket Analyst

Despite recent impressive performances across multiple formats, Shreyas Iyer's entry into the Indian Test squad might not be imminent, according to former Indian opener Aakash Chopra.

Shreyas Iyer: Will his Test call-up have to wait?

While Iyer shone as India's highest scorer during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory and displayed remarkable form in the IPL and domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes several other players are ahead of him in the Test selection pecking order.

"Shreyas Iyer won't get a chance now. Many others haven’t gotten a chance either," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He highlighted the cases of Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, emphasizing the competition for a spot in the Test team. "If he cannot even get among those who are in the waiting line, then how can he be considered for selection?"

Iyer's recent form has been noteworthy. In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, he amassed 480 runs in just seven innings, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. He carried this momentum into the IPL, where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches and led Punjab Kings to their first final in nine years.

Chopra stressed that patience is key for Iyer to earn red-ball opportunities. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, took Punjab Kings to the final, did well in white-ball cricket — but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit."

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan, another hopeful, continues to make his mark. Following three half-centuries and a score of 150 in six Tests, he scored 92 for India A against England Lions, followed by a century in an intra-squad match preceding the England series.