Former Indian batter Dilip Vengsarkar has strongly questioned Shreyas Iyer’s decision to take a break from red-ball cricket. The former chief selector expressed his confusion over how the right-handed batter is deemed fit for white-ball cricket but not for the red-ball format.
Iyer, who has played 14 Test matches since his debut in November 2021, was granted a break from red-ball cricket by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following his request. The 30-year-old made this request ahead of the second four-day fixture between India A and Australia A, citing a back issue as the reason.
Speaking to Mid-day, Vengsarkar said such decisions are hard to comprehend. “To be honest, it’s a dilemma for me, because he [Iyer] says that he is unfit for red-ball cricket, but is fit for white-ball cricket. I don’t understand the difference between red-ball cricket and white-ball cricket. I feel that if you are fit for white-ball cricket, you are obviously fit for red-ball cricket too. Choosing red-ball or white-ball and such things are beyond my comprehension,” he stated.
The Mumbai-born cricketer last featured in Test cricket in early 2024 during England’s five-match series in India. He played two matches but managed a top score of only 35, which led the selectors to drop him from the side.
### Shreyas Iyer Elevated to Vice-Captaincy Role in ODIs
Despite his struggles in Test cricket, Iyer remains a key player for Team India in the 50-over format. After playing a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy victory earlier this year, the right-hander has now been appointed as the deputy to new captain Shubman Gill for the upcoming Australia tour.
Gill recently replaced Rohit Sharma as the ODI skipper, marking a significant change in leadership. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both part of the ODI squad, as they aim to continue playing towards the 2027 World Cup.
The ODI series against Australia is set to begin on October 19 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
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