Shreyas Iyer's Test return on the cards? Ravi Shastri drops bombshell

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri showered praise on Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer following his recent success in international cricket and the IPL 2025. The former all-rounder stated that Shreyas Iyer made a key adjustment to his batting technique, which helped his superb run.

Iyer has been in outstanding form in white-ball cricket. The 30-year-old finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with 243 runs at an average of 48.60. The right-handed batter secured a spot on India's list of 34 contracted players for the 2024/25 international season.

Shreyas Iyer Can Pull and Hook - Ravi Shastri

Speaking on The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Ravi Shastri said that Shreyas Iyer has adjusted his stance to a more upright position. Shastri added that this change allows him to pull or hook when the ball is short.

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“He was very side on, was back and back, very much leg-side. The fact that he's prepared to go back and across now and with a very upright stance and the pick up,” Shastri said.

“While he's moving back, the bat's being picked up as well when he's going back and across. That allows him to play both sides of the wicket. If they bang it in short, he can pull and hook. And if there's any room outside the off stump, he can cut as well,” he added.

He's Showing Now When He's Batting - Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri said that bowlers targeted his body in the past, which limited his shot selection. Shastri added that he has become a dangerous batter — something evident in his current form.

“So that opens up the game for him rather than being too leg-side where the rib cage was being targeted and then there was no escape," Shastri added.

“Now he's got space to go both ways and he's such a good timer of the ball. He's got good hands and when he gets into position early then he can be devastating as he's showing now when he's batting.”

He's Become an Absolute Certainty - Ravi Shastri

The 62-year-old stated that Shreyas Iyer could return to India’s Test squad despite not featuring in the format since early last year. Shastri added that a Test comeback would depend on other contenders in the team.

“Shreyas Iyer in particular, the way he's played for India over the last 18 months and he's become an absolute certainty in the white-ball format of the game, especially the one-day format," Shastri said.

“He can (earn a recall for Test cricket) but it's again going to be a competition. White-ball, certain (selection). Test cricket, (we) have got to see who the other players are around."

Notably, a recent report in PTI revealed that Iyer, alongside Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, and Sarfaraz Khan, are in contention for a couple of middle-order slots in the Test team for the England tour.

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