Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut Delayed: Formidable Competition Blocks Path, Claims Ex-India Star

Shreyas Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Claims Former India Opener

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has tempered expectations regarding Shreyas Iyer's inclusion in the national Test squad. Despite the 30-year-old's impressive performances across all formats recently, Chopra suggests that Iyer may have to wait for his opportunity.

While Iyer emerged as India's leading scorer in their triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and enjoyed a remarkable run in both the IPL and the domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes that several other players are ahead of him in the Test selection pecking order.

"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 cases of Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, suggesting that Iyer needs to move up in the waiting list before being considered for Test selection.

Iyer has indeed been in excellent form. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, maintaining an impressive 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, leading Punjab Kings to their first final appearance in nine years.

Despite his recent success, Chopra stressed the importance of patience for red-ball opportunities. "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 strong contender, continues to make his mark. Following three fifties and a score of 150 in six Tests, he scored 92 for India A against England Lions and followed it up with a century in the intra-squad match ahead of the England series.