Former England opening batter Nick Knight has voiced his surprise over India’s decision to omit Shreyas Iyer from their squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Nick believed that Iyer should have been given a place in the squad. While Iyer has been in tremendously impressive form across all formats, he hasn't been able to make the cut in India's Test squad since last year.
“If there was ever a time for Indian cricket to cope with losing Rohit and Virat, it's now. I'm going to be brutally honest here. Shreyas Iyer should be here. That would have helped this transition a little bit more. But there's still plenty of ability there,” Knight told PTI.
Nick also singled out young batter Sai Sudharsan as a key player for India in the upcoming series. Sudharsan is expected to bat at no. 3. The first Test between India and England is scheduled to get underway on June 20 in Leeds.
“Sai Sudarshan, for me, he slots in at number three, Shubman Gill at number four, and then you go from there,” Knight said.
“Sai is a very good player. He plays late. You'll hear that a lot during this series. Players that play the ball underneath their eyeline, by the front pad, not get out in front of you, follow the ball a little bit, play the early line, don't follow the line as it moves laterally... all those sorts of things which are key to being successful in English conditions.”