"I don't see any chances for Shreyas Iyer in Tests at the moment" - Aakash Chopra
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra doesn't see Shreyas Iyer getting into the Indian Test side anytime soon. He pointed out that other batters above him in the pecking order are already competing for middle-order berths.
India will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, with the first game starting in Chennai on September 19. Shreyas, who is playing in the Duleep Trophy, hasn't been picked in the 16-member Indian squad for the first Test.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about Shreyas' place in India's Test side.
"It's interesting that last time when we beat Bangladesh in Bangladesh, Shreyas Iyer gave a very important performance in the last match. We won because he played a crucial knock, but since then, the world has changed. I don't see any chances for Shreyas Iyer in Tests at the moment," he responded (11:00).
The former India opener added that some of the chosen squad members such as Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel might also not get a regular place in the playing XI.
"Whoever is there will also not be able to play all the matches. The guys who are part of this team, which includes Sarfaraz, KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, I feel they only won't be able to come in the XI. So where will Shreyas Iyer come in this?" Chopra observed.
Shreyas has aggregated 811 runs at an average of 36.86 in 14 Tests. He has amassed 736 runs at a decent average of 43.29 in 11 Tests in India and Bangladesh. However, he was found wanting in England and South Africa, scoring 75 runs at an underwhelming average of 15.00 in six innings.
"He will have to play Ranji Trophy" - Aakash Chopra on Ishan Kishan's India return
In the same video, Aakash Chopra was asked about his thoughts on Ishan Kishan's return to the Indian lineup.
"It's being said that he was unfit and because of that he didn't play. He played one or two matches in Buchi Babu and then wasn't playing elsewhere. Eventually, he will have to play Ranji Trophy because let's be fair, there is no other cricket now. So go and play in the Ranji Trophy and score runs, which he can do, he is a good player," Chopra replied (15:10).
While highlighting Kishan's potential, the cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the wicketkeeper-batter will have to make his way back through performances in domestic cricket.
"How many people have scored a double hundred in ODIs, he has a double hundred. He is a serious player. He has got stuck a little. He has had to go and stand behind in the line but there will be an opportunity to get back. It will be interesting as to how many runs he scores and how his domestic season is. I don't think the door is shut on him. A good IPL, a good domestic season and he will be back," Chopra added.
Kishan has represented India in 61 games across formats. He lost his India contract after opting out of Ranji Trophy games due to personal reasons and might have to showcase his prowess in domestic cricket to return to the national reckoning.