Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer. (Photo: BCCI)

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik feels that the star batsman Shreyas Iyer will definitely be part of India’s playing XI in the upcoming two-match Test series against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team.

Senior Indian batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were dropped from the Indian Test squad along with veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and veteran pacer Ishant Sharma ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

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Dinesh Karthik on Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Photo Credit: (ICC)

The No.3 and No.5 spots in the Indian Test batting unit are vacant with Rahane and Pujara getting dropped and there are three players – Hanuma Vihari Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill – fighting for those two positions.

Meanwhile, wicket-keeper Karthik has opined that India can’t look past Iyer after his brilliant performance in his debut Test series, where he scored 202 runs in 4 innings including a sensational century.

“For me, one name that stands out is Shreyas Iyer. I think you cannot look past him. He has got a hundred on his debut and he has been fabulous,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz. 

If you’re looking at a 7-4 combination, then probably you will see a Shubman Gill batting at 3 with Vihari at 6 – Dinesh Karthik

Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.Photo- BCCI
Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.Photo- BCCI

Veteran wicket-keeper Karthik added that Gill, Iyer and Vihari will get a chance in the playing XI if India field 7 batters. However, if India decide to go with 6 batters combination then there will be a toss-up between Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari for the no.3 spot.

“There are two ways to put it. If you’re looking at a 7-4 combination (seven batters, four bowlers), then probably you will see a Shubman Gill batting at 3 with Vihari at 6 and Rishabh Pant to follow (Iyer at 5).

“But if they’re looking at a 6-5 combination and they are going to play three fast bowlers, then it will be a toss-up between Vihari and Gill for number three. Other than that, it is pretty straightforward in terms of the XI,” said Karthik.

Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara
Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo: Twitter)

Former India speedster Zaheer Khan, who was also part of the discussion, opined that Gill will make a comeback to the playing XI.

“They would want to stick with the five-bowler combination. That’s something which has been working for India and they haven’t moved away from that. Shubman Gill is coming back now, I think he will get a chance again,” said Zaheer.

The first Test match of the series will be played from March 4 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh and the second Test will be played from March 12 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

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Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.