Former chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar is baffled by Shreyas Iyer’s decision to take a 6-month break from red-ball cricket. Best known for granting Virat Kohli with his maiden India call-up, Vengsarkar doesn’t understand how a player can be fit to play for white-ball cricket but not red-ball.
Shreyas Iyer takes a red-ball break
After leading India A in Lucknow against Australia A for the 1st unofficial Test, Shreyas had written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), asking for a break from red-ball cricket. The 30-year-old highlighted how his body wasn’t ready for the longest format yet due to recurring back spasms and stiffness.
BCCI agreed with Shreyas’ request. They removed him as India A captain and didn’t select him for the Irani Cup either. “Mr Shreyas Iyer has informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Having undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well, he has recently experienced recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing the longer format. He wishes to utilise this period to build endurance, body resilience and work on his fitness. In view of his decision, he was not considered for selection for the Irani Cup,” BCCI wrote.
This also means that Shreyas won’t be anywhere near Test cricket, but it’s a decision he’s taken to prolong his career. Since then, the BCCI has also named him India’s ODI vice-captain and will take over from Shubman Gill if and when needed.
Decision baffles Vengsarkar
But Vengsarkar can’t grasp this. For him, both formats are the same. He admits that he might be underinformed, but for him, there isn’t any difference between them.
“To be honest, it’s a dilemma for me, because he (Iyer) says that he is unfit for red-ball cricket, but is fit for white-ball cricket. I don’t understand the difference between red-ball cricket and white-ball cricket. I feel that if you are fit for white-ball cricket, you are obviously fit for red-ball cricket too. Choosing red-ball or white-ball and such things are beyond my comprehension,” Vengsarkar told Midday.
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