Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has blasted Indian cricket team coach and captain for the way they have handled Shreyas Iyer in the ongoing series against Australia. Iyer, who played all the three ODId was dropped in the first T20I against Australia.
Manish Pandey, who replaced him in the playing XI scored just two in the game. Meanwhile, Iyer has been recalled for the second T20I after Manish Pandey had to sit out due to an elbow injury. Shreyas Iyer has been seen as one of the potential contenders for the much-debated number four position in the Indian ODI and T20I side. He batted at number four in the three ODIs and was then dropped in the first T20I.
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Talking to Sony Sports Network, Mohammad Kaif said that he was surprised not to see Iyer in the XI after coming from a good IPL season with Delhi Capitals.
“Shreyas Iyer had become your main player at one point. That he is your No.4 batsman, who finishes the game. Whether you talk about the IPL or go back to the New Zealand series, there also he finished games at No.4. He scored 50 not out or 33 not out, he was playing well at the No.4 position.
He had two or three bad innings in the ODI, so they didn’t play him in the first T20I. This is the culture of the Indian team and we have all understood that. I am not surprised that he is dropped,” Kaif said.
Shreyas Iyer Being Misused By Kohli-Shastri: Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif also blamed the Shastri-Kohli combination for constantly chopping and changing the playing XI. He said that the duo are trying to develop a culture of not giving players enough opportunities before dropping them.
“This is the sort of thinking of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri and the players are also understanding that. The players also know that they will get just two innings, this is the sort of team it is” added Kaif.
Shreyas Iyer is coming off a successful IPL season with Delhi Capitals scoring 519 runs 17 matches as he led them to the finals.
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