Gautam Gambhir Faces Criticism Over Shreyas Iyer's Exclusion Ahead of England Test Series

Gambhir's Selection Decisions Under Scrutiny

Gautam Gambhir, who has recently taken on the role of head coach for the Indian cricket team, is facing backlash regarding his squad selections for the upcoming Test series against England. Notably, former England opener Nick Knight has openly criticized the decision to leave out Shreyas Iyer, labeling it a significant oversight during a pivotal transition period following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket.

Knight Advocates for Iyer's Inclusion

Knight emphasized that Iyer, who has demonstrated impressive form across all formats in the past season, deserved a spot on the touring team. In a recent interview, he stated,

“If there was ever a time for Indian cricket to cope with losing Rohit and Virat, it's now. I'm going to be brutally honest here. Shreyas Iyer should be here. That would have helped this transition a little bit more.”

Concerns Over India's Middle-Order Strategy

Despite his strong performances in domestic and limited-overs formats, Iyer has not been part of India's Test plans since early 2023. His omission has sparked discussions about how the team is managing experienced middle-order players, especially as the squad shifts towards younger talent.

Youthful Lineup in the Absence of Kohli and Rohit

With Kohli and Rohit unavailable, India is relying on a mix of youth and less experienced players. Shubman Gill has been appointed as captain, while KL Rahul, one of the few remaining veterans, is expected to stabilize the top order. Sai Sudharsan, who has garnered attention for his domestic red-ball performances, is anticipated to take the number three batting position. Knight commented on this lineup, saying,

“Sai Sudarshan, for me, he slots in at number three, Shubhman Gill at number four, and then you go from there.”

Knight Praises Sudharsan's Technique

Knight also praised Sudharsan's batting technique, noting,

“Sai is a very good player. He plays late. You'll hear that a lot during this series. Players that play the ball underneath their eyeline, by the front pad, not get out in front of you, follow the ball a little bit, play the early line, don't follow the line as it moves laterally... all those sorts of things which are key to being successful in English conditions.”

Upcoming Test Series Against England

Knight's comments come just before India's five-match Test series against England, which is set to commence on June 20 at Headingley. As the new World Test Championship cycle begins, the conversation surrounding Iyer's exclusion continues to intensify.