Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons the upcoming Indian Premier League will be a huge opportunity for Shreyas Iyer to prove his mettle. Iyer was part of the Grade B list last season but could not find a place in the latest contract list of 30 players for the 2023-24 season.
The right-hander was dropped from India’s Test squad after he complained of back trouble. Iyer didn’t turn up to play for Mumbai in the Ranji trophy quarterfinal citing back issues even though the BCCI medical team declared him fit but played in the semifinal and final. Furthermore, he is not in the scheme of things in the T20I team.
Meanwhile, Iyer had missed the previous season of the Indian Premier League due to a back injury and Nitish Rana had led in his place.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Shreyas Iyer – you are out of the T20I list at this point in time. However, you can come back on the back of a fantastic IPL. If he does well, scores more than 550 runs, which he can probably score, how will anyone ignore him?”
“Then you will say that he should be kept in the team as he is a mighty player. At this point in time, he is out of that loop. At some stage, he can come back in, but for that, the IPL needs to be extremely good. So a great opportunity,” the former India opener added.
The renowned commentator added that he sees a big opportunity for Suyash Sharma. The leg-spinner scalped 10 wickets in 11 matches in the previous season at an economy rate of 8.23.
“I see a big opportunity for Suyash Sharma to just grow in strength and stature. It was the first season last time and he impressed a lot. However, second-season blues is a real problem. So it will be worth watching how he utilizes that opportunity,” he observed.
Chopra added no one is afraid of Andre Russell in the Indian Premier League. Russell hasn’t been consistent in the last couple of seasons and it will be crucial for him to deliver for the franchise.
“To be honest, we have never said this previously, but let’s say it now, it’s an opportunity for Andre Russell because his stature and fear have gone down slightly. No one is scared of him now in the IPL. So this season can once again establish that fear if he suddenly starts striking the ball and matches the good old Andre Russell,” he elaborated.
KKR will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23.
