Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar said Shreyas Iyer should be mindful while returning from an injury layoff in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Iyer suffered a serious spleen injury during the SCG ODI against Australia and was subsequently ruled out of the ODI series against South Africa.
However, Iyer has fully recovered and also proved his match fitness in the ongoing Vijay Hazare trophy for Mumbai. The right-hander is part of the playing XI of the first ODI against the Kiwis and Bangar highlighted that Iyer has been a consistent performer for India in ODIs.
Bangar said on JioStar, “The one risk is that you can get hurried, wanting to start well and contribute immediately. That is what Shreyas Iyer should be mindful of. But he has made a good comeback, playing well for his home team in domestic cricket. He understands ODI cricket very well.”
“He has been in international cricket for years. Since 2023, the way he played in the World Cup, dominating spin, was a treat to watch. His skills will be very useful. In the last series, Ruturaj Gaikwad got the number four spot for his spin play. Now, Shreyas Iyer returns and takes that spot back, so his strong point will be used fully.”
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has also returned to action in the New Zealand series after recovering from a neck injury. Bangar said Gill’s ODI captaincy is work-in-progress.
“It is early days. Shubman Gill had a great Test tour of England and a tough one in Australia. You cannot judge him too much right now. It is a work in progress. The more he captains, the better he will get. He has good support on the field, with access to the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for leadership decisions under pressure. He is going to grow and eventually become a good ODI captain,” said Bangar (via the aforementioned source).
Gill lost his maiden ODI series as a leader against Australia.
