India Tour of England 2025: Should Shreyas Iyer be considered for England Test series after stellar IPL 2025 form?
Even though the train has already left the station, it won’t be a bad idea for the BCCI selectors to look back at their decision of avoiding Shreyas Iyer for the India-A series against the England Lions. The middle-order batter, who isn’t in the main squad for the five red-ball fixtures, will at least get a chance to prove himself.
It shouldn’t be a difficult decision for the selection committee. After all, Iyer’s special knock has carried Punjab Kings (PBKS) to their first IPL final since 2014. He was in his own space and winning zone for the entire chase since walking into the middle.
The right-handed batter smashed an unbeaten 87 runs in 41 balls to chase down 200-plus against Mumbai Indians (MI) for the first time in the IPL. The innings knocked the Hardik Pandya-led side out of the event, who held a strong record in the playoffs before this contest. Form is always a key for any batter, and Shreyas has got it across formats.
Shreyas Iyer’s phenomenal batting touch since 2024
The Mumbai-born came into the league after finishing the Champions Trophy 2025 as the second-leading run-getter. He smashed 243 runs in five innings at a strike rate of nearly 80 with two crucial half-centuries.
Six months ago, he ended the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25 as the fourth-highest run-getter. The 30-year-old nailed 345 runs in eight innings at an average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 188.52. He also celebrated one fifty and one century with the best score of an unbeaten 130 during the competition.
Domestic tournaments always provide the best platform to find the old midas touch. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25, the PBKS captain featured in five innings to bag 325 runs. He smacked those runs at a strike rate of 131.57, with two centuries.
It has been a wonderful comeback for a veteran who was denied the BCCI central contract last year. Iyer returned to red-ball cricket for Mumbai and gained success in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He punched 480 runs in just seven innings at 68.57, shouldering two centuries and one fifty.
In between all of these, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain led the franchise to the IPL 2024 title. He contributed 351 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 146.86.
Read More: IPL 2025, Qualifier 2, PBKS vs MI: IPL to get a new champion as Punjab meet Bengaluru in the final
Shreyas Iyer’s new side of shouldering responsibility
Amidst all the runs with the bat, the IPL 2025 displays how the experienced campaigner has shouldered responsibility. Mumbai felt the full force of Punjab’s captain at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the second qualifier.
For the entire chase, he was calm and handled the situation beautifully. Besides that, he was also smart in maneuvering the four overs from Jasprit Bumrah, who has always been a threat. His fantastic shot to squeeze Bumrah’s yorker for a boundary through third man using the pace was incredible to watch.
Meanwhile, he improved his numbers from the last season to collect 603 runs in 16 innings. Iyer has bagged these runs at an average of 54.81 and a strike rate of 175.80, thanks to six half-centuries. His leadership skills have been the biggest game changer for Punjab.
The veteran, in a partnership with coach Ricky Ponting, grew confidence among the uncapped players. They were also crystal clear about the planning. A side that has done so much chopping and changing with their squad over the years, followed a different process for the entire IPL 2025.
Read More: Notable omissions from India’s squad for England tour
To play with half a dozen uncapped players and get them to stick to their roles showed leadership qualities of Shreyas Iyer who by rotating his 6 bowlers didn't let the batsmen settle down. One thing Ajit Agarkar should do is to ask the BCCI to handover UK visa to Shreyas Iyer.
— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) June 2, 2025
Should BCCI offer Iyer another chance in Tests?
Ponting, during a recent ICC review, believed that the Test snub had inspired Iyer to perform of late. He expressed that the Mumbai-born had done everything to return to the side for the five-day format.
“I was gutted. However, he’s accepted that well, and he’s moved on.” The former Australia captain informed. “I was disappointed that he didn’t get picked. I felt that he would get picked. But he didn’t. And, I think that probably makes him a little hungrier for us when these playoff games come around.”
The BCCI selectors didn’t consider Iyer for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and the England trip. Undoubtedly, he has weaknesses against the pacers, especially the short balls. However, he hasn’t got enough chances to rectify those mistakes.
It won’t harm the selectors to make him play the second unofficial Test for India A. The conditions will be challenging and if he does well, it will only open up another possibility in the middle order. At least, Shreyas will get an equal chance.
At 30, his experience will be vital for the young India Test side in the upcoming few series. Iyer has done everything with the bat recently. Now, the ball is in the BCCI’s court to take the final call.
Read More: Is Sai Sudharsan geared up for Test cricket?
