Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, who has been in red-hot form, was recently left out of India’s Test squad for the five-match series against England set to begin later this month. Indian selectors instead included in-form Sai Sudharsan in the 18-member squad. Iyer’s omission became a big talking point, especially in the midst of legendary Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, as he (Iyer) was expected to fill in the no. 4 spot vacated by Virat Kohli. Meanwhile, former England cricketer Monty Panesar feels that Iyer should play county cricket to earn his spot in India’s Test side. Shreyas Iyer's last Test match was in February 2024 against England in Visakhapatnam
“Shreyas Iyer's got a very good technique against flat tracks and bouncy pitches. I think the swinging conditions, maybe his technique doesn't line up at the moment. That's what I think. Because I think his hands are a bit hard. He hasn't got the soft touch, playing late with the swing ball. Seeing the swing early and playing late, he does come hard at the ball,” Panesar told the Hindustan Times.
“So, I think technique-wise, his game probably isn't suited for swinging conditions at the moment. And that's why they probably thought that, give some of the other players a go whose game is suited against swinging-seeming conditions. In terms of Shreyas Iyer, to get into the Test team, I think he needs to play county cricket."
“If he's serious about playing Test cricket, he needs to find a county and play a season of county cricket. And then, prove to the selectors that his technique is up to standard against a swimming string and ball,” he said.
India will be led by young Shubman Gill in the five-match series against England, which starts on June 20 with the first game at Headingley Cricket Ground.