Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut Delayed: Former Cricketer Aakash Chopra Cites Competition

Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Says Former Indian Opener

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has tempered expectations regarding Shreyas Iyer's inclusion in the Indian Test squad, despite his impressive performances across formats in recent months.

While Iyer was a standout performer in India's victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and enjoyed a successful IPL and domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes several other players are ahead of him in the pecking order for Test selection.

"Shreyas Iyer won’t get a chance now. Many others haven’t gotten a chance either," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He highlighted the backlog of players awaiting their opportunity, including Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel. "If he cannot even get among those who are in the waiting line, then how can he be considered for selection?" he questioned.

Iyer's recent form has indeed been remarkable. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. This was followed by a career-best IPL season, where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches and guided Punjab Kings to their first final in nine years.

Despite these accomplishments, Chopra emphasized that patience is key for Iyer to earn a red-ball opportunity. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, took Punjab Kings to the final, did well in white-ball cricket — but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit."

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan, another contender for a Test spot, continues to make a strong case for himself. After scoring three fifties and a 150 in six Tests, he showcased his form with a 92 for India A against England Lions and a century in the intra-squad match prior to the England series.