Mumbai’s cricket captain, Ajinkya Rahane, expressed his enthusiasm about Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024 semifinal against Tamil Nadu. Rahane emphasized Iyer’s consistent performance in domestic cricket over the years, stating that the experienced right-handed batter requires no encouragement or advice.
“He’s an experienced player. His contribution has been amazing whenever he turned up for Mumbai,” Rahane shared during a media interaction. “We are thrilled to have him on our team for the semi-final. I don’t think he needs any encouragement or advice.”
Rahane highlighted Iyer’s history of significant contributions with the bat for Mumbai and believed that his presence in the dressing room would positively impact the team’s performance.
Iyer’s Impact in the Past Season
Shreyas Iyer had previously featured in Mumbai’s playing XI in a match against Andhra earlier in the season, where he showcased his prowess with a run-a-ball 48 in the first innings. Despite a recent string of poor performances in Test cricket, Iyer’s track record in domestic competitions remains commendable.
KKR Coach Surprised by BCCI’s Decision
In a surprising move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated Shreyas Iyer’s central contract, omitting him from the latest list released on February 28. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit expressed his astonishment at Iyer’s exclusion, asserting that the middle-order batter is an invaluable all-format player.
“I will not say Shreyas must be included in a certain Grade, but he is definitely a player who can serve India in any format,” commented Pandit. Confident about Iyer’s potential comeback to international cricket, he added, “He is going to be useful for Indian cricket in any format.”
Advocating for Iyer’s Inclusion
Pandit expressed his belief that Iyer’s absence from the BCCI’s annual contracts list was surprising and unwarranted. Despite acknowledging Iyer’s previous injury concerns, Pandit stressed that the resilient player could fit into any Grade. He urged for Iyer’s inclusion in the pool of India’s contracted players, emphasizing the cricketer’s fighting spirit.
Shreyas Iyer faced a setback in the ongoing five-match home series against England, scoring 35, 13, 27, and 29 in the first two Tests before being unexpectedly dropped from the squad. However, with the upcoming Ranji Trophy semifinal, Iyer has a chance to showcase his skills and make a strong case for his return to international cricket.
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