Shreyas Iyer has been struggling for runs despite getting starts in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. He has been trusted with the no.4 position in the Indian XI after he returned to form in the Australia ODI series.

But apart from a fifty against Pakistan, Iyer has fallen to his biggest nemesis, the short ball repeatedly during the ongoing ICC World Cup tournament. Iyer was dismissed a Trent Boult bouncer in Dharamsala for 33. And then against England, he once again got out to a short ball by Chris Woakes.

And now former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that the Mumbai batter seems to be pre-determined when it comes to taking on the short balls.

When pointed out that Iyer has been working hard in the nets to tackle his short ball problem, Gambhir said the solution is not to go after every bouncer that is bowled at him.

"See, practicing in the nets doesn't mean he becomes compulsive. Somewhere I am seeing, he is becoming compulsive. He is actually waiting only for the short ball, rather than looking to go forward and then try and pull it. And pull it at a height that you can control. Today also you see, he wanted to pull everything, which you can't against quality international bowlers," Gambhir said on Star Sports.

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"You should be able to pull the balls that you can only control. I think he is hanging back too much because he is thinking everyone is going to bowl short and I am going to take them on. There is no ego in batting, you can't be good at everything. Yes, you're working on something but make sure it's in your area, at a height which you can control. He can keep working on it but he needs to be more smart. He should know what height to play the pull shot," he added.

Iyer has managed just 134 runs in 6 matches in CWC 2023. It might happen that when Hardik Pandya returns, it is Iyer who makes way for him in the Indian XI. If not, then there is Ishan Kishan waiting for his chance to shine as well.