IPL 2017: Shreyas Iyer available for selection for Delhi Daredevils
What’s the story?
Delhi Daredevils batsman Shreyas Iyer has recovered from chicken pox and is available for selection. Delhi Daredevils spinner Amit Mishra revealed in his press conference prior to his team’s game against Kings XI Punjab on Saturday, that the Mumbai batsman is available and will be considered as per the team combination.
Iyer was ruled out due to chicken pox before the start of the IPL and has made a quick recovery to be in contention for a spot in the DD team.
In case you didn’t know...
Iyer has had a dream run in the Ranji Trophy in the last seasons which earned him a call-up to the national team as a replacement for Indian captain Virat Kohli in the final Test against Australia.
The Mumbai batsman scored 725 runs in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy following his incredible 1,371 runs in the 2015-16 season. Delhi Daredevils have won one and lost one this season, defeating Rising Pune Supergiant in their last match, and losing in Bangalore against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The heart of the matter
With Quinton de Kock out due to injury, Iyer could be the batsman at the top of the order as a replacement for current opener Aditya Tare. Delhi Daredevils have a few young Indian batsman who have impressed in the domestic season in the form of Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and Iyer.
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Pant and Samson have already played two brilliant innings in IPL 2017, the former scoring a half-century in a losing cause against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the latter scored a century in Delhi Daredevils' convincing win over Rising Pune Supergiant.
The Delhi Daredevils batsman was bought for Rs 2.6 crore in the 2015 auctions and had a good debut season in the IPL, scoring 439 runs in 14 matches with a strike rate of 128. His second season in the IPL paled in comparison as he scored just 30 runs in the 6 matches that he played.
What’s next?
Delhi Daredevils play the next two matches at home against Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders on 15th and 17th April, respectively.
Author’s Take
Iyer could open the batting with another exciting, young prospect in Rishabh Pant, demoting Sam Billings to No. 3 in the batting line-up. The Iyer-Pant opening batting order will be aggressive and full of verve, and the right-left batting combination could trouble bowlers at the top of the order.