Shreyas Iyer hasn't looked comfortable against shot-pitched deliveries in the ongoing New Zealand tour.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra shared his thoughts on Shreyas Iyer's ongoing struggles against the short ball during India's tour of New Zealand.
Chopra acknowledged that Iyer getting troubled and dismissed by short balls from Kiwi pacers like Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson is a minor cause for worry, though it is too early to declare it a permanent crisis.
He noted that the Indian ODI vice-captain has scored runs overseas in the past and has put effort into improving his game against short-pitched deliveries, meaning a rush to judgment is premature.
"It's a slight concern. Whether it's serious, we will find out in good time. I feel you should wait a little because it's not like he (Shreyas Iyer) hasn't scored runs overseas. It's not like he hasn't improved his game against the short ball," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
He suggested giving Shreyas time to see how his form and technique adjust over the remainder of the series before deciding if it threatens his long-term spot at No. 4 leading into major events like the 2027 World Cup.
"This New Zealand tour is looking like a slight antithesis. It seems like he is having more difficulties, but will it be like that always? I am not so sure. So, let's wait and watch a little to see how it unfolds," Chopra added.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra pointed out that comparing Shreyas Iyer's ODI batting average up to 2025 against his output afterward shows a steep decline, with his average nearly cut in half.
Alongside the drop in runs, Chopra expressed concern over Iyer's technique against certain deliveries, specifically highlighting that he has been getting into "awkward positions" when dismissed.
"It's true that if you look at Shreyas Iyer's numbers up to 2025 and after 2025, his average has almost halved, and the way he is getting out doesn't look good either. He gets into awkward positions," he stated.
Despite the criticism of his recent slump, Chopra backed the middle-order batter to bounce back. He noted Iyer's proven track record at the No. 4 spot, including his 500-plus run campaign during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
"However, since he has scored so many runs, including 500-plus runs batting at No. 4 in a World Cup campaign - no Indian had ever done that, albeit that tournament was in India. When you look at it from that perspective, you feel he would manage," Chopra remarked.