This second ODI against Australia is very important for Shreyas Iyer, he needs to hit form: Aakash Chopra

Shreyas Iyer’s form with the bat is a matter of concern at the moment. Since making his return after a back injury, he is yet to show his class and ahead of the ODI World Cup, the opportunities may dry up soon, especially with both KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan doing well in the middle order. Hence, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the second ODI against Australia in Indore will be extremely important for the middle order batter. 

In the recently concluded Asia Cup, Iyer featured in the first game against Pakistan and in the match against Nepal. The 28-year-old hit a couple of beautiful shots against the Babar Azam-led side before getting out after scoring 14 runs. In the match against Nepal, he didn’t have to bat as the Men in Blue managed to win the match by 10 wickets. Following which, the injury resurfaced and he didn’t take part in the rest of the tournament. He made his return in the first ODI against Australia but managed to score only three runs.

“This game is very important for Shreyas Iyer. He needs to hit form. Earlier, there was an issue with his fitness and now we have not seen his form as well. He hit a couple of good shots in the Asia Cup and then got injured. There was not much to judge in Mohali as he scored only three runs and then got run out,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, in the absence of Virat Kohli, Shreyas has been promoted up in the order as he is batting at number three with skipper KL Rahul at four and Ishan Kishan at five. However, the duo of Rohit Sharma and Kohli are slated to return for the third ODI and hence, to maintain his place in the starting XI, Shreyas needs to step up. The second ODI can thus prove to be a massive test for the Mumbai-born cricketer.