He frittered away an opportunity

Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan opened up about the poor innings of Shreyas Iyer in the second Test against England. He said that batter frittered away an opportunity and might have to pay for it.

Shreyas Iyer’s torrid run in Test cricket continued as he returned with another low score in the longest format of the game. The batter yet again wasted a crucial opportunity and was back in the hut after another solid start in the game.

Shreyas Iyer of late has been going through a lean patch in Test cricket and the ongoing series would’ve been crucial for them. However, it wasn’t meant to be as he has failed in both the games so far and his place in the team has come under serious scanner in the longest format.

Shreyas Iyer managed just 29 runs off 52 deliveries and couldn’t get going at all. He looked solid at the crease yet again but he couldn’t carry on after that. He perished while trying to play an attacking shot and it was the third time on the series, he got out in a similar fashion.

Zaheer Khan believes that the second innings was a moment for Shreyas Iyer and he wasted an opportunity. He said that the batter lost his wicket while trying to be overdominant and he might have to pay for it. Speaking during a discussion on Colors Cineplex, he explained:

“You need to understand the moments that are important for you and the team, and I feel that was a moment for Shreyas Iyer as well. Anderson had bowled his spell. Only one fast bowler is playing and after that, spin was going to be used.”

“You have top-class ability for playing spin. So you wasted an opportunity. You lost your wicket while trying to be overdominant and you might have to pay for it, considering the situation you are talking about.”

The selectors will sit again and select the team after these two Test matches – Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan further added that selectors will pick a team based on the performances in the first two games. He believes that with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul returning, it will be tough for Shreyas Iyer to make it into the XI.

The former Indian pacer added that Shubman Gill is ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the race. Talking about the same, he explained:

“The selectors will sit again and select the team after these two Test matches. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli might come back. So if you have two players coming in, two players will go out of the playing XI as well because they are players who will straightaway take their places in the XI.

“So if you don’t score runs or don’t show that you are fully ready, that you can understand any situation, show maturity, and contribute for the team, then Gill is definitely ahead in the race and you can say that Shreyas frittered away an opportunity.”

With four failures in four innings, it remains to be seen what will be the future of Shreyas Iyer in the team.