Iyer's Test Debut Delayed: Analyst Says Star Batsman Must Wait His Turn Despite Strong Form

Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Claims Cricket Analyst

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has tempered expectations regarding Shreyas Iyer's potential inclusion in the Indian Test squad. Despite Iyer's impressive form across all formats in recent months, Chopra suggests that the 30-year-old batsman may have to wait his turn.

Shreyas Iyer (AP Photo)

While Iyer was a standout performer in India's triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and enjoyed a successful IPL and domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes several other players are ahead of him in the pecking order for Test selection.

"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, implying that Iyer needs to establish himself among the contenders before being considered for the Test squad.

Iyer's recent performances have indeed been remarkable. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. This was followed by a career-best IPL season where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches, leading Punjab Kings to their first final in nine years.

Despite these achievements, Chopra emphasized the importance of patience for Iyer. "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 continues to make a strong case for selection. After scoring three fifties and a century in six Tests, he further solidified his position with a score of 92 for India A against England Lions, followed by another century in the intra-squad match ahead of the England series.