Shreyas Iyer’s Test average against spinners went down from 67.83 in 2022 to 18.86 as of today. Was this the reason BCCI dropped Iyer from Test squad against Bangladesh?
Shreyas Iyer, once a mainstay in India’s Test middle order, faced a new low when he was dropped from the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh in 2023. This decision came after a series of underwhelming performances, especially against spin. From averaging 67.83 against spinners between November 2021 and December 2022, Iyer’s form nosedived to an average of just 18.86 since January 2023. The drop from the squad has sparked a critical question: What’s gone wrong for Iyer?
Rise to Prominence: Early Signs of Excellence
Shreyas Iyer’s domestic red-ball career speaks volumes about his capability. Playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy he made his first-class debut in 2014 and quickly became a mainstay. His fearless approach against spin and pace alike was evident, especially on Indian tracks that traditionally favour spinners. Iyer’s ability to dominate spin bowling set him apart, as he often attacked rather than succumbed to pressure.
In first-class cricket, Iyer has amassed over 5,727 runs, averaging around 48.53. His aggressive yet calculative approach made him a natural fit for India’s Test side, where spin bowling, especially in sub-continental conditions, forms a crucial challenge. His domestic prowess earned him a Test debut in November 2021 against New Zealand, where he scored a century on debut—a performance that cemented his place in the side.
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The Golden Phase: 2021 to 2022
From his debut till the end of 2022, Iyer showcased why he was hailed as the future of India’s middle order. His technique against spinners, particularly his footwork and ability to play both off the front and back foot, was exemplary. In his debut Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent encounters with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Iyer often found himself facing spinners in tricky situations. Yet, his confidence was reflected in an average of 67.83 against spin—a number many batters would envy and the second-best by India batters after Ravindra Jadeja (98.50) in the period since his debut to the end of 2022.
Iyer’s strength was his use of the crease—he could go deep to cut or sweep and step out when necessary. His century against New Zealand and crucial knocks against Sri Lanka were built on a foundation of solid play against the turning ball.
The slump: 2023 and beyond
However, 2023 marked the start of an alarming decline. His average against spinners dropped drastically to 18.86. The reasons for this dip are varied. One factor could be his injury struggles, which kept him out of action for a significant part of the year. When a batter returns after a long layoff, especially from a back injury as Iyer did, it often takes time to regain rhythm.
A more glaring weakness that has emerged in Shreyas Iyer’s game, apart from his struggles against spin, is his vulnerability to short-pitched bowling. Opponents have started targeting him with short balls and bouncers, knowing that he can get caught in two minds—either going for risky pulls or fending awkwardly. His struggles were particularly exposed in the Test series against Australia, where fast bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc troubled him with sharp bouncers. This vulnerability has compounded his struggles, leading to an overall decline in confidence at the crease.
Adding to his woes, Iyer lost his central contract for the 2024 season. Once a regular member of India’s side, this omission underscores how deeply his form has fallen. The BCCI’s decision highlights his decline from a reliable middle-order option to a player now fighting for his place.
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White Ball success
Shreyas Iyer has also been a dependable performer for India in white-ball formats, especially in ODIs. Averaging over 47.57 in ODIs with a strike rate of 101.21, he remains a key player in India’s middle order. His ability to counter spin and pace in the shorter format is evident, but the Test arena presents a different challenge, especially when fast bowlers employ the short-ball ploy.
In T20Is, while his role is not as defined, Iyer has contributed effectively with a strike rate of 136.12. His limited-overs success makes his Test struggles even more perplexing. Is it a matter of temperament or technical deficiency against spin and short-pitched deliveries over longer periods?
What’s next for Iyer?
The dip in form raises the question: What’s next for Shreyas Iyer? Is this just a temporary slump, or does it point to a larger issue in his technique? He’ll need to work closely with coaches and analysts to understand where he’s going wrong—whether it’s his footwork, his mental approach, or his inability to tackle spin bowling.
For now, Iyer remains an essential part of India’s Test setup, but with middle-order competition heating up with Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Devdutt Padikkal already doing well, he must find a way to regain his form. The upcoming home season could be crucial for him, offering familiar conditions to get back to his best. If he can resolve his weaknesses against spin, Shreyas Iyer will once again be the middle-order mainstay India so desperately needs.
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