Follow UsMumbai batter Shreyas Iyer was ignored despite amassing 480 runs across five appearances in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25. Iyer even scored two crucial centuries for Mumbai, which ignited a hope of a comeback in India’s Test side. However, that hope was crushed when India announced a squad without him for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Former England opener Nick Knight was still in shock over that decision, stating that Indian selectors made a mistake with Iyer’s omission.
“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.
Knight, however, was also quick to point out that India should hand out a Test cap to Sai Sudharsan, who has played 29 first-class games for Tamil Nadu. Sudharsan’s first-class record isn’t that great, with 1957 runs at an average of 39.93, but Knight believes that he can play the ball late.
“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.”
India’s five-match Test series against England begins at Headingley on June 20 (Friday).