Shreyas Iyer Almost Left Out of India’s ODI Squad? Shocking Details Emerge

Shreyas Iyer made a shocking revеlation after his match-winning knock in the first ODI between India and England. He admitted that he wouldn't have played if not for Virat Kohli’s injury. Reports also suggest that Iyer was not even considered for the 15-member squad for the ongoing three-match series and the Champions Trophy. He said this while discussing India's four-wicket victory under Rohit Sharma's leadership at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6.

Journalist Rohit Juglan from Revsportz took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that Shreyas Iyer was not a part of India’s playing XI for the first ODI in Nagpur. He also shared that Iyer was not even part of the list for the initial 15-man squad and his selection was a topic of discussion.

Before the start of the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma said that Virat Kohli will not be taking part in the ODI against England because of a sore knee. Initially, it was believed that Yashasvi Jaiswal had replaced Kohli in the playing XI. However, after the match, Shreyas Iyer confirmed in an interview that he was the one who stepped in for the injured Kohli.

In the first ODI, India bowled out England for 248 after Jos Buttler had won the toss and decided to bat first. He made things tough for England’s pacers as Shreyas Iyer came out at 19/2 and counter-attacked, making 59 off 36 balls to help India chase down the target with 68 balls to spare. His impressive ODI record 47.69 average, 102.14 strike rate, five centuries, and 19 half-centuries in 63 matches shows why he is valuable to the team. Whether Kohli returns for the second ODI in Cuttack on February 9, India’s top-order approach might depend on his comeback.

Harbhajan Praises Iyer’s World Cup Form

Harbhajan highlighted Iyer’s strong performances, especially in the World Cup, emphasizing that a player who scores consistently expects opportunities. He added that destiny favored Iyer, as he played a match-winning knock despite doubts over his selection, turning the game in India’s favor with his crucial 50-run innings.

"The team management has selected him in the squad but they had to decide whether they want to go with him or Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. I think the team is currently trusting Yashasvi more. Maybe the management is looking to have a right-left combination up top. This is how the team went. But I think if the management wanted not to play Shreyas, then the only reason was to have Yashasvi Jaiswal up top," Harbhajan Singh Said.

"Shreyas is a proven performer. He scored a lot of runs in the World Cup. When a player scores so many runs, he thinks he would get opportunities. He is the best in his eye and hence, even God felt the same. He got what no one else thought and what someone else thought for Shreyas, that didn't happen. The player whom you were thinking about dropping, he played such an innings, he made it an one-sided game. The 50 runs he scored, changed the complexion of the game." Harbhajan concluded.