Sunil Gavaskar has backed Shreyas Iyer's selection in India's playing XI for the opening Test of the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, starting on March 4 in Mohali, after he has shown his red-hot form in the recent T20I series.
Since the senior batters, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, have been dropped from the Indian Test team, Iyer is highly likely to get that middle-order spot, but Gavaskar is uncertain about Iyer’s batting position in Team India’s playing XI against Sri Lanka in Mohali.
Gavaskar said during a discussion on Star Sports: “One hundred percent, there is no question about it. Yes, he (Shreyas Iyer) didn't play in South Africa, also he wasn't hundred percent fit. I think he had an ulcer in the tummy, so I am told. That's why he wasn't available for selection.”
He added, “But with the performances he has had in those two Test matches against the New Zealanders, he will be feeling confident. It's just a question of where he is going to slot in, is he going to slot in at three or at five, that is something the team management will be having a close look at.”
Well, with Rohit Sharma likely to open with Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari and Shubman Gill are also in the fray for the middle-order slots for the opening Test against Sri Lanka on March 4.
