"Don't think you can keep him away for too long" - Robin Uthappa's huge statement on Team India batter's omission for ENG vs IND 2025 Tests
Former cricketer Robin Uthappa believes Shreyas Iyer should have been picked as a backup batter in India's squad for the upcoming five-match away Test series against England. He pointed out how the 30-year-old performed admirably for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
Iyer amassed 480 runs across seven innings in the red-ball domestic tournament. He struck two centuries and finished with a fantastic average of 68.57. Uthappa opined that the Mumbai batter should be considered as a replacement if a batter gets injured during the England tour.
Suggesting that the Indian team management cannot leave Iyer out of the Test team for long, here's what Uthappa said on his YouTube channel 'Robin Uthappa' (from 8:11):
"He [Iyer] played five matches in Ranji Trophy in this past season, averaging about 58 or 60, 450-odd runs. So, dominant force in Indian cricket. We know his leadership ability and quality. I really felt that there was space for him as a backup batter in the middle order. If there's any injury, I'm hoping that he's the one who gets picked. I don't think you can keep him away from those whites for too long."
Iyer hasn't played red-ball cricket for India since sustaining a back injury during the team's five-match home series against England last year. The right-handed batter has 811 runs to his name from 24 Tests at an average of 36.86.
In the video, Uthappa also backed left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh to feature in India's playing XI against England if ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah is rested for any of the games. He reckoned that Arshdeep has the ability to shine at the Test level.
"If Bumrah is not playing, I will certainly play Arshdeep Singh because I think he will be more than a handful in Test cricket with the red ball. I think he's very underrated as a red-ball bowler, and we will see the full depth of his prowess in Test cricket. I'm happy that he's getting to play as a filler to Bumrah because he'll bring the same level of effectiveness as far as I'm concerned, my gut," he remarked.
Arshdeep was rewarded with a maiden India Test call-up for the England tour. He will compete with the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishan and Shardul Thakur for a place in the starting XI.
Robin Uthappa shares his preferred India XI for Test series opener against England
Robin Uthappa named his preferred India XI for the first Test of the England tour. He wished to see left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner.
He slotted newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill as the No. 3, with KL Rahul coming in at No. 4. Uthappa's lineup had Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant as the No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.
Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy were the two all-rounders in his team, while the pace unit comprised Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Robin Uthappa's preferred India XI: Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.