Shreyas Iyer to represent Mumbai Cricket in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup 2024. How Shreyas Iyer can earn back his place in India team?
Shreyas Iyer, once a key player in India’s middle order, finds himself at a critical juncture in his career. After a series of underwhelming performances, particularly against spin, Iyer was dropped from India’s Test squad for the last three Tests against England at home and the two-match series against Bangladesh in 2024. With his form under the scanner, the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 could well be the battleground where Iyer either revives his career or risks slipping further out of the national reckoning.
Dramatic decline in form
Between November 2021 and December 2022, Iyer looked unstoppable, averaging a staggering 67.83 against spin in Test cricket. However, by 2023, that number dropped dramatically to a dismal 18.86. Much of this decline can be attributed to his struggles with injury—particularly a back problem that kept him out of action for a significant portion of the year.
His return to domestic cricket has been rocky. In the 2024 Duleep Trophy, Iyer managed only sporadic moments of brilliance, with scores of 9, 54, 0, and 41 across six innings. A 75-run knock in one game showed his potential, but his inconsistency was glaring. In the 2024 Irani Cup, he scored a fifty but faltered in the second innings, getting dismissed for a mere eight runs. These performances have raised questions about his temperament and his place in India’s plans.
The pressure on Iyer intensified when he was excluded from India’s central contract list for 2024—a stark reminder of how far his stock has fallen. With his average against spin significantly declining and his recent domestic form shaky at best, the upcoming Ranji Trophy will be a crucial test of his mettle.
Read More: Curious case of Shreyas Iyer: Test average against spinners sees huge dip since January 2023
Areas of improvement for Shreyas Iyer
Converting fifties into big hundreds
One of Iyer’s biggest challenges has been his inability to turn starts into match-defining scores. The ability to bat for long periods and build innings is essential in red-ball cricket, and Iyer has repeatedly fallen short of expectations in this regard. His scores of 57 and 8 in the Irani Cup and his inability to convert starts in the Duleep Trophy have only highlighted this deficiency.
Heading into the Ranji Trophy, the onus will be on Iyer to convert his fifties into big hundreds. A string of centuries would not only bolster his confidence but send a clear message to the selectors that he still has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Balancing aggression and patience
Iyer’s aggressive style of play has long been a hallmark of his game. However, in recent times, that aggression has proven to be a double-edged sword, particularly against spin. His eagerness to attack has led to rash decisions and soft dismissals.
In the upcoming Ranji Trophy, Iyer must strike a better balance between attack and defence. Patience will be key—choosing the right moments to unleash his aggressive instincts while also being able to dig in and play a more defensive game when required. Finding this balance could be the difference between regaining his place in India’s team or being labelled a reckless talent who couldn’t adjust his game.
Rebuilding his game against spin
Iyer’s struggles against spin are well-documented. Once an assured player of slower bowlers, his recent inability to counter spin has been a major factor in his decline. His average of 18.86 against spinners since January 2023 is a testament to his poor shot selection and lack of patience.
The Ranji Trophy will offer plenty of opportunities for Iyer to rectify this. Instead of resorting to big shots, he needs to work on rotating the strike, staying composed, and playing long innings. If he can improve his technique and shot selection against spin, it could well reignite his international career.
The Significance of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25
For Shreyas Iyer, the upcoming Ranji Trophy could be career-defining. After being left out of India’s central contract list and failing to make an impact in the Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup, the pressure on him has never been higher.
To turn his fortunes around, Iyer must focus on three key areas: converting fifties into centuries, finding the right balance between aggression and patience, and improving his play against spin. A successful Ranji Trophy campaign could put him back in the selectors' sights, especially with a packed Test schedule on the horizon.
However, the margin for error is thin. With younger players knocking on the door and the competition for middle-order spots intensifying, Iyer can’t afford another underwhelming season. His performance in the Ranji Trophy will not only determine his short-term future but could define the trajectory of his entire career.
For a player of Iyer’s calibre, the road to redemption begins now. The Ranji Trophy awaits, and with it, the chance for Shreyas Iyer to prove that he still belongs on the biggest stage.
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