Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer for his brilliance with the bat in 2022, saying that the Mumbai lad is evolving into a dependable option in the middle-order for India in Test cricket.

The right-hander performed exceptionally well this year, finishing as the leading run-getter for India across formats with 1609 runs in 40 innings.

While Iyer was always a quality white-ball batter, he has proved his worth in the longest format of the game over the past one year. He is the second highest run-scorer for India in Test cricket in 2022 with 422 runs in 5 Tests, including 4 fifties at an average of 60.28.

Shreyas also starred with the bat in India’s 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in the just-concluded Test series. He played a vital knock of 86 in India’s 188-run victory in the opening Test in Chattogram while he registered scores of 87 and 29* in the visitors’ thrilling three-wicket win in the second game in Dhaka.

"He is not scoring hundreds but scoring continuously in every match. If I was the coach, I will say that I can bet on him for at least 60 runs. He didn't look troubled at all, even if you talk about the ODIs," Kaif told Sony Sports.

Hailing him as a three-format player, Kaif also commented on Iyer’s apparent weakness against short deliveries, saying it is something that the latter will get better at.

"He can play all three formats. He has confirmed his spot in ODIs and Tests. You will play T20Is against Sri Lanka and New Zealand before the Test matches, so you should try him out. He is a player who hits sixes and also knows how to defend," he added.

"He is a proper batter, it is not that he has any weakness. Yes, people talk about the short ball but he will get better while playing."

Mohammad Kaif also lauded Shreyas Iyer for his mental fitness.

"It is very difficult to play for India. There is a lot of pressure because four players are waiting behind whoever is playing. If Shreyas Iyer gets out, someone or the other is waiting. He is scoring continuously, which shows he is extremely fit mentally," Kaif said.