The controversies around Shreyas Iyer simply refuse to die down.
Hours before India A’s second first-class match against Australia A in Lucknow, Iyer, who was also the skipper of the team, pulled out of the game citing “personal reasons”. Following his sudden exit, vice-captain and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel took over the responsibility.
Iyer could only score eight runs in the otherwise high-scoring first unofficial Test against Australia A. Jurel (140) and Devdutt Padikkal (150) had impressed in the match which ended in a draw.
"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,” a Times of India report quoted a source as saying.
“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 was not included in the Indian squad for the tour of England, and was also ignored for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 despite leading Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and also scoring over 600 runs – a decision which was widely criticised by fans and former cricketers alike. Iyer, however, is an integral part of the ODI squad, having played a key role in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 win, with 243 runs in the tournament at an average of 48.60.
India’s next red-ball assignment will be the two-Test home series against the West Indies, starting on October 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to meet virtually this week – Wednesday or Thursday, that is, the second or third day of the India A-Australia A match – to pick the 15-member squad for the Tests against the West Indies.
Iyer is likely to face stiff competition from fit-again Karun Nair and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for a middle-order berth. Though Nair did not score big in the England series, except a half-century in the last Test, the selectors might be tempted to give him a go in home conditions.
The top-order looks settled, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B. Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill being sure starters. With Rishabh Pant yet to recover from an injury, Jurel is expected to take his place.
If India decide to go for an extra batter, it will be a toss up between Iyer and Padikkal, with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Narayan Jagadeesan likely to be roped in as reserves.