In the world of cricket, form can be fleeting, and when things go wrong, criticism follows quickly. Recently, Shreyas Iyer, the Indian middle-order batsman, has found himself under fire from an unlikely source. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has accused Iyer of losing his desire to play Test cricket. These comments, made via Basit Ali’s YouTube channel, have sparked controversy, especially considering Iyer’s current dip in form during the Duleep Trophy.
Basit Ali’s Bold Claims: Iyer Lacks Desire for Red Ball Cricket
Shreyas Iyer, who is captaining the India D team in the Duleep Trophy, has not performed up to expectations. In three innings, he has only managed scores of 9, 54, and 0, totaling 63 runs. Basit Ali, referencing this poor run of form, has alleged that Iyer no longer has the hunger for red ball cricket. According to the former Pakistani batsman, Iyer appears more focused on hitting boundaries and has lost the appetite for the longer format of the game.
Basit Ali, who played 19 Test matches for Pakistan, went on to apologize to Indian cricket fans for his criticism. He stated that if he were in the selection committee, he would not have chosen Iyer for the Duleep Trophy. Basit believes that Iyer is no longer respecting the game and has lost interest in Test cricket.
Comparing Iyer to Virat Kohli: Basit Ali’s Strong Words
Basit Ali didn’t stop at questioning Iyer’s commitment to Test cricket; he also made a comparison that has raised eyebrows. He suggested that Shreyas Iyer might be considering himself the next Virat Kohli after scoring two centuries in the recent World Cup. Ali was quick to remind Iyer that he is far from achieving that stature.
These statements have come at a critical time for Iyer, who has already been left out of the Test series against Bangladesh. With his underwhelming performance in the Duleep Trophy, Ali believes that Iyer’s chances of being selected for the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia are slim. Iyer’s last Test appearance for India came in February this year, and his current form has raised questions about his future in the longer format.
Shreyas Iyer’s Opportunity for Redemption: Can He Silence the Critics?
Despite the sharp criticism, Shreyas Iyer still has a chance to make a statement with his bat. In the ongoing Duleep Trophy, India A has set a daunting target of 488 runs for India D, giving Iyer the perfect platform to showcase his talent and leadership skills. If he can lead his team to victory with a match-winning knock, he will silence critics like Basit Ali and reassert his position in Indian cricket.
There’s still another match to go in the Duleep Trophy, offering Iyer more opportunities to prove his worth. A strong performance could reignite his hopes for a Test recall and allow him to answer the doubters, not just with words but with runs.
Basit Ali Apologizes but Sticks to His Stand
While Basit Ali did apologize to Indian cricket fans for his harsh remarks, he remains firm in his belief that Iyer is not showing the desire or hunger needed to succeed in Test cricket. Whether his criticism is justified or not, one thing is clear: Shreyas Iyer will need to step up his game to secure his future in Indian cricket. With major series against New Zealand and Australia on the horizon, the next few performances could be crucial for his career.
