Iyer Test Debut Unlikely Soon, Says Former India Player Chopra, Citing Competition

Iyer's Test Debut on Hold, Says Former India Opener Chopra

Despite Shreyas Iyer's impressive performances across formats in recent months, former India opener Aakash Chopra has tempered expectations regarding his inclusion in the Test squad.

While Iyer shone as India's highest scorer in their triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and enjoyed a successful run in both the IPL and domestic red-ball season, Chopra believes that several other players are ahead of him in the Test selection pecking order.

"Shreyas Iyer won't get a chance now. Many others haven't gotten a chance either," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel. He highlighted the cases of Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, suggesting that Iyer needs to move up the waiting list before being considered for Test selection.

Iyer's recent form has been remarkable. He amassed 480 runs in just seven innings in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, boasting an average of 68.57 and a strike rate exceeding 90. His stellar performance continued into the IPL season, where he scored 604 runs in 17 matches and guided Punjab Kings to their first final appearance in nine years.

Chopra emphasized that patience is key for Iyer to earn red-ball opportunities. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, took Punjab Kings to the final, did well in white-ball cricket — but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit."

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan, another contender for a Test spot, continues to make a strong case for himself. Following three fifties and a 150 in six Tests, he scored 92 for India A against England Lions and followed it up with a century in the intra-squad match ahead of the England series.