Agarkar Justified in Excluding Shreyas Iyer from England Tour: “He Lacks Technique and Is Vulnerable”

Monty Panesar believes Shreyas Iyer lacks the technique needed to handle swinging conditions effectively.

Shreyas Iyer Overlooked for Test Squad Despite IPL Success

Shreyas Iyer is blazing a trail as captain of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, but he faces disappointment after being left out of India’s Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England. With veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Tests, this was a prime opportunity for Iyer to make a comeback. However, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar chose to include Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair instead.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar supported the decision, citing concerns over Iyer’s technique against swinging conditions in the UK. Panesar suggested that Iyer’s quick-handed style might leave him exposed in seaming conditions, saying, “I believe he is vulnerable; I don’t think he has the technique for that.”

Shreyas’ position in the Test setup has weakened since he was dropped from the central contracts last year. Although strong performances in the Champions Trophy 2025 helped him regain some attention, he may need to wait longer before securing a return to the Test side.

Panesar told InsideSport, “They haven’t missed a trick. His numbers are impressive, but mostly in flat, spinning conditions—not in seaming and swinging conditions.”

‘He doesn’t have the technique’

Monty Panesar believes Shreyas Iyer is better suited to bouncier tracks and currently lacks the technique to succeed in swinging and seaming conditions.

“I think he is a superstar, but when it comes to seaming, swinging conditions, I don’t think he has the technique. He doesn’t have soft hands and doesn’t play the ball late. He has quick hands, his feet don’t move much,” Panesar explained.

He added, “Brilliant hand-eye coordination. That sort of technique is suited for faster and bouncier pitches. I think in swinging conditions, you are going to be found out.”

Shreyas has played 14 Tests, scoring 811 runs at an average of 36.86, with his last appearance in February last year against England. Following his exclusion, he was asked to participate in domestic cricket but missed games for Mumbai, resulting in his removal from the central contracts list.

However, strong performances in white-ball cricket earned him a comeback into the central contracts list, keeping his international hopes alive.

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