Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli. Image: Twitter

Former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar said that former Indian captain Virat Kohli cannot be replaced in India’s T20 team despite Shreyas Iyer’s astounding T20I series against Sri Lanka. Iyer had a tremendous outing against the Lankan bowlers as he toyed with their lines and lengths and took them to the cleaners.

Iyer remained unbeaten in all three T20I matches against Sri Lanka as he accumulated 204 runs from three innings at a strike rate of 174.36. India swept the T20I series with another 3-0 whitewash as Iyer made 73 from 45 balls in the third T20I match against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer. Image: BCCI

Virat will probably come in at No.3, Shreyas Iyer at No.4 or 5: Sunil Gavaskar

Iyer batted at No.3 as Virat Kohli was rested for the T20I matches only for him to come back for a couple of Tests next month.

The dilemma for the Indian think tank is how will they accommodate Iyer in the batting order once Kohli returns to the T20 set-up.  Gavaskar explained how Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer both could play in the Indian team together.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli. (Photo: BCCI)

“It’s a great problem to have. Obviously, Virat Kohli can’t be replaced. He will probably come in at No.3, there is no question about it. But then you can use somebody like a Shreyas Iyer at No.4 or 5.

“Suryakumar, the way he has been batting, he is got to be included. It is just the plus, plus as far as the team is concerned,” Gavaskar explained on Star Sports. 

You might think in terms of an all-out attack: Sunil Gavaskar

Indian cricket team has plenty of pace bowling options available at their disposal with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami having the experience of playing around the globe over the years. India is also exploring their bench strength to create suitable backup options for particular roles.

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Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar are being given opportunities in the last few T20 bilateral series to test themselves on the international stage. Not to forget India has the options of Shardul Thakur, Hardik Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer who are pace bowling all-rounders in the squad.

Sunil Gavaskar. Photo- Twitter
Sunil Gavaskar. (Photo: Twitter)

Gavaskar reckoned that India should consider playing pure pace bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan in the team.

“There are so many options. And it allows you to go in with pure bowlers and not bowlers who can bat. With a top-batting line-up, you can go in with someone like Mohammed Siraj or Avesh Khan, who is not known as a batsman.

“You don’t have to look for someone who can bat like Shardul Thakur or Deepak Chahar or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. You might think in terms of all-out attack,” Gavaskar said. 

After defeating Sri Lanka in the T20I series, India won their 12th T20I series to equal the record of Afghanistan.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Or Shreyas Iyer; Wasim Jaffer Shares His Opinion On No. 3 Batter For India In T20Is