In a surprising turn of events, Shreyas Iyer withdrew from the India A squad just hours before the second four-day unofficial Test against Australia A, scheduled to start Tuesday in Lucknow. The middle-order batter returned to Mumbai, citing personal reasons to the BCCI, though no further details were disclosed.
Dhruv Jurel, Iyer’s deputy during the first match, has been named captain for the upcoming clash. No replacement has been announced for Iyer in the playing XI.
“Yes, Shreyas is taking a break and has returned to Mumbai. He has informed the selectors that he won’t be able to play in the second four-day match against Australia A. However, he remains in fray for a spot in the middle-order when the selectors meet to pick the squad for the West Indies series.”
Iyer’s Recent Form
Shreyas Iyer had a brief and underwhelming stint with the bat in the first unofficial Test, scoring just 8 runs off 13 balls before falling lbw to Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli—a decision that drew debate at the venue, with many believing the ball had missed leg stump.
Earlier this month, he also posted modest scores of 25 and 12 for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone in Bengaluru. Despite these limited returns, Iyer remains in contention for India’s middle-order in the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies, starting October 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Career Highlights and Challenges
The 30-year-old has been a vital performer in India’s ODI setup, shining in the Champions Trophy earlier this year as the team’s highest run-scorer with 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60. Yet, Iyer missed selection for the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai and has struggled to cement his spot in India’s Test and T20I squads.
His current challenge lies in transitioning that white-ball form into a consistent red-ball presence, a goal he will likely pursue in the West Indies series.
Team Changes and Upcoming Clash
Apart from Iyer’s sudden exit, India A have made another adjustment: pacer Mohammed Siraj replaces Khaleel Ahmed for the second match. Andhra Pradesh all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy remains sidelined due to a persistent knee injury.
The first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A ended in a high-scoring draw, with both sides surpassing the 530-run mark. The second match promises to be a critical platform for fringe players aiming to impress selectors and stake claims for the senior squad.
Looking Ahead
With Dhruv Jurel at the helm, India A will aim to continue their strong showing against Australia A. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s focus may shift toward regaining form and making a compelling case for selection in India’s upcoming Test series against the West Indies. His performance in the next few months could determine whether he secures a permanent spot across formats.