Buchi Babu Tournament: Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer seek Test-career revivals
Indian batters Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer are set to represent Mumbai in the upcoming Buchi Babu Tournament against TNCA XI. The First-Class tournament, which begins on Tuesday, is seen as a platform for both players to revive their Test careers. Sarfaraz Khan will also be participating in this tournament with the aim of securing a place in India's Test squad for the series against Bangladesh next month.
SKY and Iyer aim to prove their Test credentials
Following his successful stint as the T20I skipper, SKY is eager to demonstrate his red-ball capabilities in the Buchi Babu Tournament. Despite leading India to a series win in his first assignment as India's full-time T20I captain, he has only made one Test appearance against Australia in February 2023. On the other hand, Iyer is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run of form in recent Test matches.
Iyer's struggle and upcoming opportunities
Iyer, who last played a Test in February this year, has struggled with form since January 2023. He has managed to score only 187 runs in 12 innings during this period, averaging just 17.00. The Buchi Babu Tournament and the Duleep Trophy, where he will lead Team D, are seen as crucial opportunities for him to regain his form and confidence.
Sarfaraz Khan's Test ambitions and upcoming match
Sarfaraz Khan, who will be leading Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Tournament, is also eyeing a place in India's full-strength Test squad for the upcoming home season. He made his Test debut against England earlier this year, scoring 200 runs in five innings at an average of 50.00. The Mumbai team will face TNCA XI, led by R Sai Kishore - the leading wicket-taker in last season's Ranji Trophy.
Buchi Babu Tournament: A precursor to Duleep Trophy
The Buchi Babu Tournament also serves as a precursor to the Duleep Trophy, which begins on September 5. SKY's last First-Class outing was in the Duleep Trophy last year, where he scored 71 runs in four innings, averaging 17.75. Both SKY and Iyer are determined to improve upon their past performances and secure a place in the Test team for the forthcoming season.
