Virat Kohli’s exit from Tests could be the perfect time for Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Indian side for the longest format of the game. A report claimed that Kohli has informed the BCCI about his decision to retire from Tests just ahead of the five-match series against England. While the former captain is yet to make an official announcement, his departure will mean the number 4 spot in Tests will be vacant.
Iyer’s recent form
Shreyas last played a Test in February 2024 against England. He was then snubbed from the BCCI Central Contracts list for failing to play domestic red-ball cricket as per the BCCI’s mandate in the first half of 2024. However, he worked hard by taking part in all domestic red-ball tournaments in the latter half of the year, including Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy.
In Duleep Trophy, he scored 154 runs in 3 innings, averaging 25.66. Thereafter, his performance improved consistently as he took part in Ranji Trophy regularly. He managed to amass 480 runs in 5 matches, averaging 68.5 including two hundreds.
Even in white-ball cricket, Iyer managed to amass runs, ultimately leading to his comeback to the national side in January 2025. He scored 325 runs and 345 runs from 5 and 9 matches in Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
To top it off, he finished as the leading run-getter for India in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Shreyas’s record in Tests so far
Iyer made his Test debut in 2021 and since then has played only 14 Tests. He has 811 runs to his name, averages 36.86 and has one hundred and five fifties to his name. Most of the runs scored by Iyer in the longest format of the game have come while he has played at number six – 432 runs in 7 matches. This is followed by 294 runs from 6 matches while batting at number five. At number 4, he has played just one match and scored 56 runs.
Despite his inexperience of batting at number 4, he could simply be the best solution for India at that position when Kohli retires. After all, his fine form indicates that he could very well thrive at that position.
In first-class cricket, he has 6363 runs from 81 matches and averages 48.57.
| Format | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 14 | 24 | 811 | 105 | 36.86 | 1 | 5 |
| FC | 81 | 137 | 6363 | 233 | 48.57 | 15 | 33 |
One surely can’t compare Shreyas to Virat Kohli, given the latter’s vast experience of playing at number 4 for India. In 98 matches, the batting maestro has amassed 7564 runs while batting at number 4, and averages 50.09.
However, he struggled to get going in the last series against Australia. While India may have many other options to replace Kohli at number 4 after his departure from Tests, Iyer could be a viable alternative. However, it remains to be seen if the selectors will open the doors for Shreyas’ re-entry to the Test side.
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