Analysis
3 players who can replace Shreyas Iyer if unavailable for ODI World Cup 2023
Shreyas Iyer was ruled out of the game against Pakistan on Sunday at the very last minute.
Shreyas Iyer was the designated number four batter for Team India in the Asia Cup 2023, but a back spasm has effectively kept him out of India’s two Super Four clashes against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan have made the most use of this opportunity as they have more or less cemented their spot in the middle order. With Shreyas Iyer being ruled out of the two games, there were calls of concern for the Indian team management.
It is more or less a precautionary measure to rest the Indian batter amid this small niggle but if he is ruled out the Indian team will be looking at rest of the options. Let’s take a look at the possible options who the Indian team can look at
3 players who can replace Shreyas Iyer if unavailable for the ODI World Cup 2023
1) Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson (Source: Twitter)
Sanju Samson was again left out of the Indian team for the Asia Cup 2023 as well as the ODI World Cup 2023. He was selected in the ODI format in most of India’s tours in 2022 and performed admirably.
He was tried and tested out in various positions in the format but still was never able to cement his place in the side despite performing in the majority of the games. If Iyer is ruled out, he would be the automatic option for Team India considering his experience and fitness.
2) Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma (Source: Twitter)
Tilak Varma has become one of the rising stars of the Indian team as he emerged onto the scene following some great performances for his Indian Premier League franchise, Mumbai Indians. After scoring more than 300 runs in both of the seasons of the IPL, he got his maiden India cap when he debuted against West Indies last month.
Tilak Varma was then drafted into the Indian team following two fifties in his debut series. His stroke-making ability and the skill to handle pressure is what Indian team management saw. He can be one of the strongest contenders for the spot if Shreyas Iyer is ruled out.
3) Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Source: Twitter)
If the Indian team management wants to add a player with a knack of keeping calm under tremendous pressure, it can be none other than Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan has been out of the side since December 2022, and even after a rather successful campaign with the bat in the IPL, he couldn’t break into the side.
Shikhar Dhawan knows a thing or two about performing in major multi-national tournaments and his experience in the playing XI can be crucial in such a big tournament. He is one of the great players of spin and considering the ODI World Cup is in India, he can be a critical player to have if Iyer is ruled out.
Also Check: Highest wicket takers in ODI World Cup history
