Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut Delayed: Formidable Competition Blocks Path, Says Cricket Analyst

Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Says Former India Opener

Hopes for Shreyas Iyer's inclusion in the Indian Test squad may be premature, according to former India opener Aakash Chopra. Despite Iyer's impressive performances across all formats in recent months, Chopra suggests the 30-year-old faces stiff competition for a Test spot.

Shreyas Iyer (AP Photo)

While Iyer played a pivotal role in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory and shone in both the IPL and domestic red-ball cricket, 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 pointed to players like Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, who are all vying 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 remarkable. 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 captained Punjab Kings to their first final appearance in nine years.

Despite these accomplishments, Chopra emphasized the need for patience. "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 himself. Following three fifties and a 150 in six Tests, he scored 92 for India A against England Lions and followed it up with a century in the intra-squad match leading up to the England series. This highlights the intense competition for middle-order batting slots in the Indian Test team.