Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar feels that team management is grooming Shreyas Iyer as the backup option for Virat Kohli at No.3.

Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in India’s 62-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I in Lucknow. Coming to bat at No.3 the right-hander played a brutal knock and helped the hosts post a total of 199 runs on the board.

Iyer came to bat following the dismissal of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the 12th over and made sure that his team didn’t lose the momentum. He took charge to the Sri Lanka bowlers and scored 57 runs in just 28 balls and also smashed 5 fours and 2 sixes. 

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Speaking on Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar said that team management is preparing backup for first-choice players and seemingly Shreyas has been chosen as backup for Virat at no.3. In the process, the bench is getting strengthened as well.

“The bench is getting strong. The position at which Shreyas is being sent to bat, he is being continuously sent at No. 3. So God forbid if Virat Kohli gets injured in some match, I feel he can become a very good option at No. 3 and that is probably where the team management’s sights are set on Shreyas Iyer,” Sanjay Bangar said. 

Talking about the same, Irfan Pathan said that Shreyas Iyer has the swag, and when he’s in the form it’s enjoyable to watch. He lauded the right-hander for the big shots he played, saying that he likes his non-look six the most. 

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He recalled the sixes he hit against Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera and highlighted that Iyer answered the critics with his bat. 

“This guy has the swag. When this boy is in form, it is enjoyable to watch. The big shots he plays, he doesn’t stay at one spot but despite that, the balance he generates, it is his own ability.I like the non-looker six he hits the most. 

“The two sixes he hit off the slower ones – one-off Karunaratne and later off Chameera. He answered the critics with his bat, you don’t need to answer with your tongue. If we expect Shreyas Iyer to bat always at a strike rate of around 160, that’s not going to happen, he is a different batter,” Irfan Pathan said. 

The second T20I between the two sides will be played at February 26 in Dharamsala.

(Star Sports inputs)