Spotlight on Shreyas Iyer: Leading India A’s Charge

Shreyas Iyer has recently been in the limelight, not entirely by choice. Despite receiving widespread media attention and support, he faced disappointment by being left out of the Asia Cup T20 squad. However, a new opportunity may be on the horizon as Australia is set to tour India.

The impending selector meeting will inevitably focus on Iyer’s situation, particularly the role he might play in the India A team against Australia A. It’s anticipated that Iyer will have a significant role, possibly even a leadership position. The Australia tour begins next week with two four-day red-ball games and three white-ball matches.

Currently participating in the Duleep Trophy for West Zone, Iyer’s recent 25-run inning against Central Zone fell short, dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed. Nonetheless, this performance is unlikely to affect his selection for the upcoming red-ball and possibly white-ball matches.

While Iyer excelled in the IPL, he wasn’t chosen for the Asia Cup T20 side, starting in the UAE on September 9. His potential involvement in red-ball games suggests ongoing consideration for future matches, including the home Test series against the West Indies in October and subsequent overseas white-ball series in Australia.

Besides Iyer, standout performers in the Duleep Trophy like Nitish Reddy, A Easwaran, and Sai Sudharsan might also be in line for selection, along with players such as N Jagadeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rajat Patidar.

The first of the two four-day matches between India A and Australia A takes place in Lucknow on September 16, the day after the Duleep Trophy final ends on September 11. Team selection is likely to occur shortly after the Duleep Trophy semifinals, which wrap up on September 7. The second red-ball game is scheduled for September 23-26 in Lucknow, followed by three white-ball matches occurring on September 30, October 3, and October 5 in Kanpur.