The first Unofficial Test match between India A and Australia A in Lucknow has turned into a high-scoring contest, but one player who failed to capitalize was the Indian captain Shreyas Iyer.

Shreyas Iyer’s struggle in red-ball cricket continues

On day three, September 18, the Mumbai batter managed just 8 runs off 13 balls, falling to off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.

India A were cruising at 213/3 in reply to Australia’s 532/6 declared, but Iyer’s dismissal meant he was the only one among the top five not to cross 30. His failure stood out in an otherwise dominant batting display.

Appointed captain for the two-match Unofficial Test series, Iyer’s returns have been far from convincing. This latest dismissal marks his third straight low score in red-ball cricket. Earlier in the Duleep Trophy 2025, representing West Zone, he scored just 25 and 12 against Central Zone, falling early to Khaleel Ahmed and Saransh Jain.

The trend is worrying for the selectors, especially with Iyer expected to anchor the middle order and provide leadership to a promising India A side.

Iyer’s strong domestic form yet to translate

The slump comes as a surprise given Iyer’s excellent Ranji Trophy season last year, where he piled up 480 runs in seven innings at an average of 68.57 and a strike rate of over 90. That campaign had reaffirmed his credentials as a red-ball prospect and positioned him as a contender for India’s Test middle order.

Also READ: IND-A vs AUS-A Unofficial Test Series 2025: Date, Time, Venue and Live Streaming details

However, since his last Test appearance in February 2024 against England, the right-hander has been out of the senior squad, missing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and the recent five-match Test series in England due to form and fitness issues.

India are set to host West Indies and South Africa for two-Test series each in October and November 2025, and the selectors will be monitoring Iyer’s form in the matches against Australia A closely. With competition intensifying for batting slots, his performances in the ongoing series could be decisive in determining whether he earns a recall.

For now, the selectors will want to see Iyer convert starts into substantial knocks in the remaining innings, especially as his teammates continue to pile on runs.

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