IND vs NZ 2021: In The Next Game, Shreyas Iyer Will Have To Make Way For Virat Kohli - VVS Laxman

Former India batsman VVS Laxman believes that despite a magnificent century in the first Test versus New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer will be excluded from the second Test when Virat Kohli returns to the side.

On a tricky pitch, Shreyas Iyer bailed India out from a precarious position to take them to a total of 345 with a century on Test debut – becoming the 16th Indian to do so.

However, he is likely to miss the second Test for Kohli, who has been rested from the first Test.

VVS Laxman reckons that there is an unwritten rule in Indian cricket that the replacement player is the one to be dropped when the incumbent returns. He pointed out the case of Karun Nair, who was moved out of the team even after his triple century when Ajinkya Rahane was available.

“Yes very very interesting but there is an unwritten rule in this Indian team which we had seen even when Karun Nair got a triple hundred and Ajinkya Rahane came back and unfortunately Nair had to miss out and Rahane got back to his original position.

“So that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Iyer played because Kohli was not available for this Test match,” VVS Laxman told Star Sports.

There will be a lot of pressure on Ajinkya Rahane: VVS Laxman

The 47-year-old commentator, however, also asserted that Iyer’s century has further put pressure on the struggling Ajinkya Rahane, who made looked in his rhythm for his 35 before chopping on to his stumps. The second innings for Rahane will be crucial.

“But having said that there will be a lot of pressure on Ajinkya Rahane. Last couple of years hasn’t been great and he hasn’t been performing to his potential and the calibre he has got. But in the next game, Iyer will have to make way for Virat Kohli,” VVS Laxman added.

The second Test will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, from December 3.

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