IND vs NZ: With Virat Kohli returning, should India drop Shreyas Iyer?
Team India will have some brainstorming to do ahead of the second and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which gets underway on December 3. With the first Test resulting in a draw, the upcoming clash would decide the fate of the series. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s return would definitely be a massive boost for the home team.
The regular skipper was rested for the first Test in Kanpur. However, he’ll be back for the Mumbai Test and would be raring to deliver. With Kohli returning to the playing XI, someone from the batting line-up has to make way for him. India’s middle-order comprised Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer in the previous game. Hence, one of the three is certain to warm the benches. However, the biggest question is: who’ll go out?
Iyer wouldn’t have played the opening Test in the first place, had Kohli been available. Hence, it was important for him to make a significant mark on his Test debut. The 26-year-old embraced the challenge and played not one but two staggering knocks. Coming to bat at number five, Iyer tackled New Zealand’s formidable bowling attack brilliantly and slammed a staggering century in India’s first innings.
Shreyas Iyer is the first Indian to score a century and a fifty on Test debut
Notably, the Kanpur track never looked easy to bat on as veterans like Rahane and Pujara failed to make a mark. However, Iyer made optimum utilization of the opportunity and slammed 105 in India’s first innings. In case anyone thought that ton was a mere fluke, Iyer put up another batting exhibition in India’s second innings.
India, who gained a 49-run lead in the first innings, were reduced to 51/5 in their second innings and a rare Test defeat at home was looming over their head. However, Iyer came to the side’s rescue and slammed 65 runs. He thus became the first-ever Indian to score a century and fifty on Test debut. Thanks to his brilliance, the home team was able to declare at 234/7, setting the Kiwis a stiff target of 284 runs.
Now, what more you can ask from a batter on debut? Hence, the Indian team management must make a tough call and drop one of their senior pros. Notably, Pujara and Rahane average 30.42 and 19.47 respectively in Test matches this year. Hence, dropping Iyer after such a stellar show on Test debut would send a negative message to the youngsters in the Indian team.
Speaking of who should make way for Kohli, Rahane, who led India in the Kanpur Test, should be put on benches. The 33-year-old has been struggling big time lately and his constant failures have bagged a lot of criticism. At the same time, Pujara, who has done relatively well in comparison to India’s vice-captain, bats at number three.
Neither Kohli nor Iyer have much experience of batting at that spot. Hence, it would be wise for Team India to retain Iyer and bring Kohli in place of his deputy.
