Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckoned that the India team management is looking at Shreyas Iyer as Virat’s replacement at No 3 . Bangar feels that Iyer would make a great backup option to play in that spot, especially at instances when Virat Kohli is rested/out, injured and beyond.
“The bench is getting strong. The position at which Shreyas is being sent to bat, he is being continuously sent at No. 3. So God forbid if Virat Kohli gets injured in some match, I feel he can become a very good option at No. 3 and that is probably where the team management’s sights are set on Shreyas Iyer,” Sanjay Banger said on Star Sports after the match’s completion.
Iyer replaced Kohli and did extremely well on both occasions. While he scored 25 off 16 in Kolkata, the youngster played a stunning knock of 57 runs in 28 deliveries to help India beat Sri Lanka by 62 runs in Lucknow. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan also agreed to Bangar and heaped huge praise on Shreyas Iyer.
“This guy has the swag. When this boy is in form, it is enjoyable to watch. The big shots he plays, he doesn’t stay at one spot but despite that, the balance he generates, it is his own ability. “I like the non-looker six he hits the most. The two sixes he hit off the slower ones – one-off Karunaratne and later off Chameera. He answered the critics with his bat, you don’t need to answer with your tongue. If we expect Shreyas Iyer to bat always at a strike rate of around 160, that’s not going to happen, he is a different batter,” Pathan said.