'Shreyas Iyer is in no position to play the short ball' - Misbah-ul-Haq identifies India's weakest link

The Indian cricket team has annihilated their opponents so far in the ODI World Cup 2023 and is sitting pretty at the top of the table with six wins from as many games.

The batting unit has clicked and the bowlers have also stood up to the task. There are only a few boxes left to be ticked for the former two-time champions. Shreyas Iyer's dismal form in the tournament is one of the rare concerns for India as the Mumbai batter has not been able to do justice to his potential except for his unbeaten half-century against Pakistan. In the six games, Iyer has registered scores of 0, 25*, 53*, 19, 33, and 4.

Misbah-ul-Haq reckoned that Iyer could have to make way when Hardik Pandya gets fit. The former Pakistan captain also pointed out the right-handed batter's flaws in technique against the short ball.

"Hardik Pandya has to return too after being fit. From Day 1, I feel that KL Rahul at No. 5 is too late. He is a class player and should bat at No. 4. Once Hardik is back, Suryakumar Yadav can bat 6 and Jadeja 7. Then his (Iyer's) selection would become difficult. He (Iyer) has scored runs; he is coming off a hundred against Australia, is rated high. But overall, his average against fast bowling is around 19-20 and when it comes to short balls, he is just not able to find it. When your weakness comes to the fore, all teams will exploit it," Misbah said on A Sports.

"He is expecting the short ball and many times, even against short-of-length balls which aren't ideal for pulling, like the one against England, he goes for the shot. So, you are overthinking about the short ball and you are in trouble. See his front foot. After the initial movement, it goes nowhere. And he is in no position to play the short ball. And he doesn't even try to avoid the short ball," he added.

Shreyas Iyer has to perform because Ishan Kishan is sitting out: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram agreed to Misbah's take on Shreyas and called the 28-year-old India's "weakest link". The legendary pacer felt that Shreyas will have to seize his opportunities sooner rather than later as Ishan Kishan, who scored a fine half-century against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup, is waiting in the wings.

"Yeah, he has to perform because Ishan Kishan is sitting out and he is a left-hander. Remember the first game he played in the Asia Cup, he and Hardik Pandya struck a partnership. So he can bat in the middle order," Akram said.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023