Sat Sep 14 11:57:33 UTC 2024: ## Iyer’s Red-Ball Hunger Questioned After Duleep Trophy Duck: Former Cricketer
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has raised concerns about Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer’s commitment to red-ball cricket following a disappointing performance in the Duleep Trophy. Iyer, who recently registered a duck in the second round of the tournament, was criticized for his lack of focus and opportunity-seizing during the match.
Ali, in his YouTube channel, expressed disappointment at Iyer’s performance, stating that his dismissal for a duck in front of the wicket highlighted a lack of concentration, particularly in the longer format of the game. “He has scored two centuries in the World Cup, he’s an IPL-winning captain, he should’ve scored 100-200 runs here,” Ali said.
He further criticized Iyer’s hunger for red-ball cricket, suggesting that the batsman is more focused on hitting boundaries rather than prioritizing the game’s longer format. Ali went as far as to say that he wouldn’t have selected Iyer for the Duleep Trophy if he were a selector, adding, “He’s not respecting the game.”
Iyer’s recent struggles in Test cricket have seen him dropped from the Indian team after a series of low scores. With the rise of Sarfaraz Khan and Shubman Gill securing his spot at number three, Iyer faces an uphill battle to reclaim his place in the Test squad.
While he scored a half-century in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, his subsequent duck suggests he’s still struggling to find consistency in red-ball cricket. The upcoming domestic season presents a crucial opportunity for Iyer to regain form and make a strong case for his selection in the Test team.
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