The selection conundrum often presented by having an abundance of talent is a dilemma any team would welcome. Such richness in options, however, bears the complex task for selectors as they carve out the best possible squad for upcoming matches. This scenario unfolded as the Indian team selection committee convened to deliberate over the roster for the upcoming three-match T20 series with Afghanistan. The return of seasoned campaigners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli meant that some players were inevitably going to miss out, including Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
Iyer, who was omitted from the squad, has maintained a stoic demeanor regarding his exclusion. The right-handed middle-order batsman, capping off a stint in Test cricket in South Africa, turned his attention to the domestic circuit and the Ranji Trophy to hone his skills in red-ball cricket. This preparation was in anticipation of the Test series against England. Following a swift inning where he scored a brisk 48, Iyer expressed satisfaction with his current form, revealing that he has not been dwelling on his absence from the T20 squad.
The 29-year-old Mumbai batsman, during an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, articulated a level-headed approach to his career. “See, right now I’m being in the present. I’ve finished the match which I was asked to play, I came, and I executed, so I’m happy with what I’m doing. Something that is not in my control, I can’t be focusing on that. Coming here and winning the match was my focus and that’s what we did today.”
Iyer underlined the importance of taking each match as it comes, rather than getting ahead of oneself. With a series on the horizon, the proper mindset was pivotal. “It’s important to take one match at a time, not think about the five-match Test series. The team is only for the first two games. The motto would be to perform in the first two games and then look forward to the rest of the games,” clarified Iyer.
As Mumbai continues its campaign in the Ranji Trophy, the side celebrates its latest triumph over Andhra by ten wickets—maintaining an unbeaten streak with two consecutive victories. The team is set to travel to Trivandrum next, to face Kerala in what’s anticipated to be a challenging away encounter. The objective: to extend their winning momentum.
Amidst this backdrop, Iyer finds himself vying to secure his position in the national side. With the return of KL Rahul, who is expected to play as a specialist batsman along with a potential newcomer, Dhruv Jurel, or wicket-keeper KS Bharat, the competition is fiercer than ever. Yet Iyer appears unfazed, focusing instead on the contributions he can make on the field.
The challenges of building a well-balanced team with such a wealth of talent, like the one India possesses, brings with it tough decisions for selectors and sometimes disappointments for players. Despite being sidelined for the upcoming T20Is, Shreyas Iyer’s measured outlook and commitment to his game serve as a testament to the professional attitude required to succeed at the highest levels of cricket. The rest, as they say, is beyond one’s control and left to the unpredictable nature of sports and, in larger measure, life itself.
