Former Australia skipper and current Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting expresses surprise and confusion over India's decision to leave Shreyas Iyer out of their playing XI, despite his recent success in domestic cricket and the 2023 World Cup. Ponting also believes that Iyer will excel in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai.
India's Exclusion of Shreyas Iyer Raises Eyebrows
Former Australia captain and current Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting has expressed surprise over India's decision to leave Shreyas Iyer out of their playing XI for the current England series.
Iyer, who has been in exceptional form in domestic cricket and played a crucial role in India's recent ODI series win over New Zealand, was surprisingly overlooked for the first three matches of the England series.
Ponting believes that Iyer's omission is puzzling, given his current form and the importance of the upcoming 2023 World Cup. "I don't understand why they would not pick him [Iyer] in this team," Ponting told cricket.com.au. "He is in such good form and he is a proven performer at international level."
Ponting also praised Iyer's adaptability and versatility, which he believes make him an invaluable asset to any team. "He can bat anywhere in the top order, he can field anywhere, he's a great athlete, he's a good leader," said Ponting. "I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be in this Indian team."
FAQs
Q: Why was Shreyas Iyer left out of India's playing XI? A: India's team management has not officially stated the reason for Iyer's exclusion, but Ponting believes it is due to a preference for other players.
Q: What has been Iyer's form like recently? A: Iyer has been in excellent form, scoring 196 runs in five innings at an average of 49.00 in the recent Irani Cup. He also scored a century in the first ODI against New Zealand.
Q: What is Ponting's opinion on Iyer's exclusion? A: Ponting believes that Iyer's omission is a mistake and that he should be included in the Indian team for the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
Q: What is Iyer's future with the Indian team? A: Iyer is still a young player with a lot of potential. If he continues to perform well in domestic cricket, he is likely to be recalled to the national team in the near future.
Q: What is the significance of the upcoming Champions Trophy? A: The Champions Trophy is a major ODI tournament that will take place in Dubai later this year. It will be an important opportunity for India to prepare for the 2023 World Cup.
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