Shreyas Iyer, the Test batter, still has a lot to prove – Aakash Chopra on whether Mumbai batter can become India’s Test captain

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels Shreyas Iyer still has a lot to prove in Test cricket. Iyer is currently out of action due to injury and he will be looking to make a solid return to the game in all three forms.

Iyer is currently recovering from a back injury and he had to also miss IPL 2023 season for Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, Iyer made a fantastic start to his Test career as he scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur.

The right-hander has scored 666 runs in 10 Test matches at an average of 44.4. In fact, Iyer has shown great potential in the limited-overs format but he could be a bit vulnerable against the short ball and moving ball in Test matches.

Iyer was tested with short stuff by England’s fast bowlers in the rescheduled Test match in 2022 and he returned with scores of 15 and 19 in the two innings.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “He played very well in Bangladesh also. He plays spin extremely well, there is no doubt about that. However, there are two things that might define his career – his game against the short ball and second against the moving ball – when the ball is pitched up and it swings and the other is the bouncer.”

The renowned commentator feels Iyer will have to improve his game against short-pitch and swing bowling and thus he still has a long way to go in his Test career.

“Until he gets proficient in both of these things, it is even difficult to say whether his Test career will flourish or not. So the captain of the Indian Test team – too early to say. In my opinion, Shreyas Iyer, the permanent member of the Indian Test side, there is time for that.”

“A verdict cannot be passed so early because he hasn’t nailed the format yet. There is no doubt that the guy plays amazingly well in ODIs but Test cricket, despite the runs, I think it will take him some time to solidify his place in this format. We will talk about the captaincy later.”

There is no doubt that Iyer is yet to fully grab his chances in the Test format and he will need to prove his mettle in the red-ball version. Iyer is not part of the two-match Test series against the West Indies as he is currently recuperating from injury.