IND vs ENG: 'Shreyas Iyer Has Gravitas For International Cricket': Ex-BCCI Selector On Indian Batter's Struggles

Shreyas Iyer, the right-handed batter, is very talented, but over the past two years, he has developed a weakness against the short ball, and the opposition always employs that strategy when the batter enters the crease.

In both innings of India’s recently finished Edgbaston Test, which it lost by seven wickets, Shreyas’ KKR coach Brendon McCullum was observed instructing England bowlers to bowl short balls at the batsman. 

 It Is A Question Of Learning: Jatin Paranjpe On Shreyas Iyer’s Struggle

Shreyas Iyer has to slog it out in the middle to overcome his short-ball vulnerability, according to former BCCI selector Jatin Paranjpe. 

“I think there are several approaches to this. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that Shreyas Iyer has the talent. More importantly, I think he has the gravitas for international cricket. I feel it is a question of learning.

From what I saw of him, it’s that one ball that got him which he played badly. You could see it in his eyes that he knew he had to bat half a session more. I was thinking to myself the ball before he got out that if Shreyas bats 30-35 minutes here, we are home,” 

I Hope Shreyas Iyer Gets More Chances: Jatin Paranjpe

In a conversation with veteran sports writer Jamie Alter, the former India player and selector revealed. 

“The next ball he got out. It is something he will learn through direct experience. Rahul Dravid having two cups of coffee with you isn’t going to teach you how to do it. You’ve got to go out there and grind it out. I just hope that Shreyas keeps getting chances.

Scoring runs in England against this bowling attack is not an easy proposition, but I think somewhere he’s got to find that right balance between waiting it out and playing to his areas of strength. And that can only come with more air miles,” he added. 

In the recently-concluded Edgbaston Test against England, Iyer scored 15 and 19. 

Shreyas’ short-ball vulnerability was exposed even during the IPL, and the opposition took advantage of that to defeat him. 

The series, which began last year, ended with a 2-2 tie thanks to England’s victory against India at Edgbaston by seven wickets as they chased down 378 in the fourth innings. 

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