Ricky Ponting Expresses Surprise Over Shreyas Iyer's Exclusion From India's ODI Lineup

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricketer, has expressed his surprise over Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s original ODI squad, calling it a baffling decision given Iyer’s stellar recent performances. Iyer, who has been one of India’s most consistent middle-order batters in ODIs, was not initially included in the playing XI for the first match against England in Nagpur. The situation changed only when Virat Kohli was injured, and Iyer was drafted into the team.

SHREYAS IYER’S STELLAR FORM

Iyer had established himself as India’s No. 4 batter in the recent past, notably delivering impressive performances in the 2023 World Cup. With 468 runs at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24, Iyer was pivotal to India’s middle-order success. Despite his remarkable form, India opted to give a debut to Yashasvi Jaiswal in the original lineup, which led to a reshuffle in the batting order. As a result, Shubman Gill was moved to No. 3, a position traditionally held by Virat Kohli.

The reasoning behind this decision remains unclear, as it is uncertain whether Kohli would have been moved to No. 4 had he been available. Several former cricketers, including Ponting, have expressed confusion over Iyer's exclusion, especially considering his consistency in ODIs.

RICKY PONTING’S VIEWS ON IYER’S EXCLUSION

Ponting, who had the opportunity to work with Iyer as the head coach of Delhi Capitals, was particularly surprised by the decision to leave him out. “I’ve been a bit surprised that Shreyas has been out of India’s side the last couple of years,” Ponting remarked. “He had a fantastic World Cup in India and seemed to have made that No. 4 spot his own. Even after his injuries, his domestic season this year has been exceptional, and he's been outstanding in all formats of the game.”

Ponting highlighted that Iyer’s game is perfectly suited for the white-ball formats, particularly in subcontinental conditions. He praised Iyer's ability to handle slower, lower wickets and his skill against spin bowling. “He’s as good as anyone when he’s out there in the middle. So, I’m thrilled to see him back in India’s team,” said Ponting.

IYER’S LAST-MINUTE CALL-UP

Iyer’s inclusion in the playing XI came as a surprise to him as well. The batter revealed that he was initially unaware of his participation in the match. “It’s actually a funny story,” Iyer said after the game. “I was watching a movie and thought I could extend my night. Then I got a call from the captain saying I might play because Virat had a swollen knee. I quickly rushed back to my room and went to sleep. We didn’t know until then.”

When Iyer was finally called upon to play, India was in a challenging position at 19/2 in the sixth over, having lost both openers early. Iyer responded spectacularly, taking on England's pacers with ease. His aggressive knock of 59 runs off 36 balls helped India recover, and he reminded everyone of his capabilities in limited-overs cricket.

CONCLUSION

Ponting’s comments underline the widespread belief that Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion was a questionable decision, especially given his outstanding recent performances. With his return to the Indian squad, Iyer once again demonstrated his value in white-ball cricket, particularly in challenging situations. His performance in the match serves as a timely reminder of his skill and importance in the middle order.