Iyer Faces Test Snub: Analyst Suggests Wait Continues Despite Strong Form

Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Says Cricket Analyst

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra suggests that Shreyas Iyer may have to wait longer for a Test call-up, despite his impressive performances across all formats in recent months.

Shreyas Iyer (AP Photo)

While Iyer was a standout performer in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory and enjoyed a successful IPL and domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes 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, implying that Iyer needs to surpass these players in the waiting line to be considered for Test 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 achievements, Chopra emphasized the need for patience regarding 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 remains a strong contender. Following three half-centuries and a score of 150 in six Tests, he further solidified his credentials with a score of 92 for India A against England Lions, followed by a century in an intra-squad match preceding the England series.