MSK Prasad shares his views on Shreyas Iyer: Details here
BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad feels Shreyas Iyer has evolved as a cricketer and can be the solution for India's number four slot in limited-overs cricket. The number four slot has bothered India for quite some time and there wasn't any solution found. However, Iyer has been backed by BCCI selection committee chief MSK. Here are further details.
Number four slot was a long debated one
The number four slot was a long debated batting position and plagued Indian cricket. Several names were tried and tested. After numerous experiments, veteran Ambati Rayudu was the one identified to lead the way into the ICC World Cup 2019. But a poor series ended his journey. Vijay Shankar and KL Rahul were tried during the CWC 19. And now, Iyer has taken over.
Iyer's journey in Team India colors
Iyer went on to make his India debut in November 2017 in a T20I against New Zealand. He also played his first ODI series, scoring back-to-back half centuries in the home rubber against Sri Lanka. The 24-year-old batsman played three ODIs in South Africa two months later before he was sidelined. He made a return against West Indies in August.
'Iyer can be the solution to our number 4 slot'
"If you recall, we had inducted Shreyas Iyer (when Virat Kohli was rested) 18 months back into the ODI squad and he has done reasonably well. Unfortunately we couldn't continue with him," Prasad told PTI in an interview. "Having said that, he has evolved as a player now and he can be the solution to our number 4 slot in both ODIs and T20Is."
How has Iyer fared for India of late
He has played five T20Is recently for India. Against South Africa, Iyer got scores of 16* and 5. And then against Bangladesh, the right-handed batsman scored 22, 24* and 62. Prior to that, he had got two solid fifties against West Indies in the ODI series. Iyer scored 71 and 65 to help India win the series 2-0.
Iyer will now look to do well against West Indies
Iyer will now look to do well in the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies at home, starting December 6. With the ICC World T20 to be held next year, his prime focus will be to score runs at will and nail down a berth.
