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NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"Sarfaraz Khan Has Not...": Shreyas Iyer's Test Comeback Hopes Vanquished, Brutal Reality Check Given
Former India cricketer and reputed pundit Aakash Chopra has ruled out the possibility of Shreyas Iyer being considered for India's Test team anytime soon. Shreyas has made himself an automatic selection for Team India in ODI cricket, and was even their highest run-scorer during the victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old also enjoyed a good domestic season and IPL 2025. However, Chopra stated that his turn has not yet come in red-ball cricket. In fact, Chopra stated that there are several other batters, such as Sarfaraz Khan, waiting-in-line ahead of Shreyas when it comes to Test selection. "There aren't many issues with the Indian batting, as it is. Besides, Shreyas Iyer won't get a chance now. Many others haven't gotten a chance either," Chopra stated, speaking on his YouTube channel. "If you think about it, Karun Nair has only just gotten his chance. Sarfaraz Khan hasn't been given a shot. Dhruv Jurel is waiting on the sidelines. If he cannot even get among those who are in the waiting line, then how can he be considered for selection?" Chopra said. Chopra further said that Shreyas will have to wait for his turn in Test cricket. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, taking Punjab Kings to the final. He did well in white-ball cricket, but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit," Chopra added. Shreyas enjoyed a superlative cricket season ahead of India's tour of England. Iyer made 480 runs in just seven innings in Ranji Trophy 2024/25, at an average of 68.57 and an impressive strike rate of over 90. In IPL 2025, Shreyas went one step better, justifying his RS 26.75 crore price tag and leading Punjab Kings to the final. He enjoyed his best IPL season with the bat, slamming 604 runs in 17 matches. However, the likes of Sarfaraz Khan have not managed to make it to the Test squad despite performing well in limited opportunities. In just six Tests, Sarfaraz has three half-centuries and a best score of 150. Sarfaraz has also impressed playing for India A in England. He slammed a knock of 92 for India A against England Lions in the first practice match, before going on to smash a century in Team India's intra-squad match, where pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was also in the bowling attack.
India Today
05-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Gautam Gambhir hints at Karun Nair's Test return on England tour with extended run
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has hinted at a return to the Test side for Karun Nair during the upcoming tour of England. Gambhir stated that the Karnataka batter would be given an extended run when he gets his opportunity, adding that his experience and form in English conditions would be valuable for the and newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill were addressing a press conference ahead of the Indian team's departure to has been named in India's 18-man squad for the five-Test series, which begins on 20 June. The 33-year-old has earned a recall to the Test setup for the first time in seven years, following a prolific run in domestic cricket. "It's great for domestic cricket. It's great for the future of domestic cricket. All the youngsters who are playing domestic will understand its importance: 'if you keep doing well in domestic cricket, doors are never shut'," Gambhir RUN FOR KARUN?Nair, who travelled to England last month, began his tour with a double century for India A in the first of two unofficial Tests against the England Lions in Canterbury."It's good to have the experience of Karun, who has played a bit of County cricket. He has scored runs there and hit a double hundred for India A. It's always good to have players who are in good form on these kinds of experience will definitely come in handy, and hopefully he can deliver."More importantly, we will not judge someone by one or two Tests. You guys can. We won't. I think if someone has scored heaps of runs, he will be given a good run at this level as well so that he can showcase his talent here," Gambhir will need replacements for the opener's role and the No. 4 spot after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Shubman Gill lead a young Indian side for the five-Test series in England and Nair might get a go for the middle-order role as early as the first Test. KARUN NAIR'S INCREDIBLE RUN IN DOMESTIC CRICKETNair also brings valuable County Championship experience in English conditions, having represented Northamptonshire in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Over 10 matches, he compiled 736 runs at an impressive average of 52.57, including a superb double carried that form into the domestic circuit, delivering a standout season. Nair was instrumental in Vidarbha's successful Ranji Trophy 2024–25 campaign, finishing as the fourth-highest run scorer. He amassed 863 runs across 16 innings at an average of 53.93, which featured four centuries and two in the season, he played a crucial role in guiding his team to the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25. Nair topped the tournament's run charts, scoring a staggering 779 runs from eight innings at an extraordinary average of 389.50 and a strike rate of 124.04, including five hundreds and a the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024–25, he once again led the scoring for his side, notching up 255 runs from six innings at an average of 42.50 and a blistering strike rate of Watch
