The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 is now in full swing, featuring a crucial clash between the India B and India D teams in Anantapur. Leading India D is the talented star batsman Shreyas Iyer, who had hoped to leverage this tournament as a platform for his return to the Indian Test squad. Unfortunately, Iyer’s performance has been underwhelming, as he continues to miss critical opportunities to establish himself as a consistent player in the format.
Shreyas Iyer’s Struggles Under Pressure
Shreyas Iyer faced just 5 balls in the first innings against India B, failing to score and leaving the field with a dismissal that kept his run tally at zero. This disappointing outcome mirrors his previous outings in the Duleep Trophy, where he similarly struggled to contribute meaningfully with the bat. In particular, his last appearance in the tournament was marred by a match where he went out without scoring after just 7 balls, prompting harsh criticism from fans and analysts alike.
Unconventional Batting Choices Draw Attention
During his last match, Iyer’s decision to bat while wearing dark glasses—a choice more common among fielders—raised eyebrows. Such an unusual sight, especially when paired with his quick dismissal, led to a wave of trolling on social media, highlighting how the spotlight can quickly turn dark for a player under scrutiny.
Performance Overview: A Troubling Trend
Throughout the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, Iyer has played a total of 5 innings but has only managed to score 104 runs at an average of 20.80. His best performance came in the first match, where he scored 54 runs. However, his other outings have been marked by struggles: he recorded 9 runs in one innings, a duck in another, and returned with only 41 runs in the second innings of one match. This erratic form raises serious questions about his potential return to the Indian Test lineup.
The Road Ahead: Challenges for Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer’s last Test appearance for India was against England in February. Since then, he has faced significant challenges in securing his place in the squad. Although he was included in the ODI team for the Sri Lanka tour, his performance there also failed to leave a lasting impact. Reports suggest that, currently, Iyer’s position within the Test team is highly precarious. Given his ongoing struggles, he faces an uphill battle to regain favor and find himself back in the national setup.
As the Duleep Trophy continues, it remains to be seen whether Shreyas Iyer can turn around his fortunes and regain the form that once made him a promising young talent in Indian cricket. For now, the pressure remains on him not only to perform but to silence critics who are increasingly questioning his capability to rise to the challenge.
