Former India opener Aakash Chopra stated that Mumbai batter Shreyas Iyer would not have made the Test team in England under any circumstances, despite his stellar local record and India's ODI lineup this year. Iyer's absence from India's large 18-man squad, which was revealed in May, prompted several questions regarding the 30-year-old's future playing international cricket. Iyer had his greatest season as a batter, hitting 604 runs at an average of 50+ and a remarkable strike rate of 175.07 with 39 sixes, which helped Punjab Kings finish second in the IPL. In addition to helping Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December 2024, Iyer had a successful Ranji Trophy season.

Iyer amassed 699 runs with two hundreds and three fifties in nine First Class games, including winning the Irani Cup. But that wouldn't be enough for Iyer, who last played for India in the 2024 home series against England, to return to the Test team. Chopra insisted that Iyer wait patiently for his second wind, pointing out that even his teammate Sarfaraz Khan, who is higher in the pecking order, was passed over for a spot in England.

During the Headingley Test, India's front-line hitters were all in the spotlight, with the exception of the returning Karun Nair, debutant Sai Sudharsan, and a shaky lower-order. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant (2), KL Rahul, skipper Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal all struck centuries, making it the first time India tallied five centuries in a Test.

“There is no problem with the batting as such. But he has to wait for his chances; he won’t get a chance straightaway right now. He would’ve never made it to the squad for the England tour. The remaining ones also haven’t had their chance,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“If you think about it, Karun Nair has played just now. Sarfaraz Khan is not being given the chances. Dhruv Jurel is sitting outside. The players who are already there, if they aren’t only getting the chances, then how can Shreyas Iyer get a look in?” he added.

“I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, took Punjab Kings to the final. He did well in white-ball cricket, but his time will come. He will have to wait just a little bit,” said Chopra.

The Indian team suffered a loss in the opening Test against England and are now preparing for the second one as they eye to level the series.