I don't see any chances for Shreyas Iyer in Tests at the moment: Aakash Chopra

With India's 16-member squad to lock horns with Bangladesh in the first Test of the series announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) three days back, there were quite a few veterans making their way back into the fold along with a maiden call-up for left-arm pacer, Yash Dayal, as well. However, one name which was missing from the list was that of Shreyas Iyer, which prompted a discussion regarding the batter's short-term prospects in the Test arena by former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra.

Chopra highlighted Iyer's performance the last time India toured Bangladesh in 2022. However, he rightly alluded to the fact that his performances have not been up to the mark since then, which might have indicated to him to not have any hope to carry forward his red-ball career in the short-term.

"It's interesting that the last time when we beat Bangladesh in Bangladesh, Shreyas Iyer gave a very important performance in the last match. We won because he played a crucial knock, but since then, the world has changed. I don't see any chances for Shreyas Iyer in Tests at the moment," responded Chopra to a question asked by one of the commenters in a recent video on YouTube he uploaded.

Chopra reiterated Iyer's situation that there were at least three players from the current setup which he could think of not making the cut for the first Test, thereby accentuating how far Iyer was from being in the reckoning.

"Whoever is there will also not be able to play all the matches. The guys who are part of this team, which includes Sarfaraz, KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel. I feel they themselves won't be able to come in the XI. So where will Shreyas Iyer come in this?" noted Chopra.

Also Read: ‘It was necessary for me to show intent’ - Shreyas Iyer on Duleep Trophy half-century

He will have to play Ranji Trophy: Chopra on Ishan Kishan

Further, Chopra spoke about Ishan Kishan, another player who has been out of the loop for a while. He made it amply clear that the only way the wicketkeeper-batter would better his chances to get back into the Indian team was to participate in the Ranji Trophy and succeed there. 

"It's being said that he was unfit and because of that, he didn't play. He played one or two matches in Buchi Babu and then wasn't playing elsewhere. He will have to play the Ranji Trophy. Let's be fair, there is no other cricket now. So go and play in the Ranji Trophy and score runs, which he can do, he is a good player," mentioned Chopra.

Chopra expanded on Kishan's prowess and believed that he was still in the running, with impressive showings in the Indian Premier League and the domestic season being more than adequate for him to regain entry into the Indian unit.

"How many people have scored a double hundred in ODIs? He has a double hundred. He is a serious player. He has got stuck a little. He has had to go and stand behind in the line, but there will be an opportunity to get back. It will be interesting as to how many runs he scores and how his domestic season is. I don't think the door is shut on him. A good IPL, a good domestic season and he will be back," added Chopra.

Also Read: ‘It took me two years to get India call again’ - Yash Dayal reflects on his cricketing journey

While both Iyer and Kishan were not retained by the BCCI as part of their retainership list earlier this year, Iyer has still featured in three more games than Kishan in the Indian jersey. He was a part of the ODI squad which lost to Sri Lanka in the island nation last month.