‘He has to decide which are the formats he is going to try…’ – Former bating legend gives reality check to struggling Shreyas Iyer

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has backed star batter Shreyas Iyer to be back in form to mark his comeback in the national squad. Notably, Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the remaining Test matches due to an injury he sustained. However, some sources confirmed that the star batter has not been injured and was ruled out of the team owing to his poor form in the red-ball game.

However, Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Shreyas Iyer needs to decide in which three formats he has to excel to be in the national squad. The well-renowned cricket commentator says that the 29-year-old cricketer has to work on his defence if he wants to place himself in Test cricket. In addition, the former batting legend feels that the KKR skipper needs to learn how to dominate the game rather than escape it.

“Iyer has to decide which are the formats he is going to try and excel in. If Tests continue to be his priority then he has got to work on his defensive game whether it’s pace and bounce or spin. Develop a game where he is confident in defence and then when he takes the aggressive route it’s an extension of the defensive play where he is trying to dominate and not escape pressure by playing a counter-attacking game,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

It would have been easier for India to play four spinners and go the English way: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar also talks about the third Test match, where he feels that KL Rahul has the full chance to be in the squad. Moreover, the 58-year-old cricketer also talks about playing XI cricket for the third Test match.

“Rahul definitely comes in for a batter. Have no idea how the team management and the selectors are thinking about the keeper. Before Rishabh Pant comes and takes his rightful place in the Test squad, would like to have a look at some of the other options India have. If Mohammed Siraj wasn’t available as a second seamer, then it would have been easier for India to play four spinners and go the English way,” he added further.