Shreyas Iyer continued to impress the Indian selectors and also continues to keep getting ignored by them. He has scored piles of runs for his Ranji side Mumbai but has been overlooked by the selectors. Despite the ignorance, Iyer keeps himself positive and focuses on his cricket. He’s just scored an attractive double hundred for India A against Australia on the third day of the warm-up game. After David Warner and Matthew Wade sledged him to no efforts yesterday, that’s how you speak with the bat.
Earlier, while speaking to PTI about his innings and future, he said:
“I don’t think much on that, I try to play and score as many runs as possible. The side is packed (at present), but I know I will get a chance definitely to play for the country.”
Iyer had a terrific first two seasons in Ranji Trophy. His form dropped in the last season but on Saturday, he pulled himself back in form. He was dominating the Australian spinners on the second day, hitting both Steven O’ Keefe and Nathan Lyon over long-on for five sixes.
India A ended the day at 176 for four. Earlier in the day, Australians had declared on 469 for 7. Speaking on how he thrashed both the Aussie spinner, he said:
“I am happy they were not predetermined shots. It was important to take charge early and spread out the field. It worked out well.”
Iyer also spoke on the length of the quality of spin bowling that was on offer. He said:
“They (Lyon and SOK) are very good, especially Lyon, they don’t give much flight. They are a lot better than the spinners (I faced) of Bangladesh. I had to come down the track to hit the big shots.”
India will be playing their first Test against Australia from February 23 in Pune. Indian selectors had announced the squad only for first two Tests. Iyer can hope that this performance is noticed by the selectors and he gets a chance, however slight it is, in the last two Tests.
