The year 2025 witnessed a magnificent landscape of the longest, toughest, and ultimate format of our beautiful game. Test cricket outshone the other two formats of the sport comprehensively. This assertion gains its push courtesy of some marvelous red ball international series over the past year. Add to it a new World Test Champion (WTC) in South Africa, the spectacular Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, India's historic low at home, an ongoing dramatic Ashes series Down Under, etc., and the format really got a lift. 

The ingredients, like intense and intriguing battles, pitch fights, the equality between batters and bowlers, the transition between different styles of play (traditional to modern), and impeccable individual performances, all unpredictably yet perfectly confluenced to boost the health of the format. Viewers were treated to premium Test Cricket across regions, and this formed the basis for their substantial and prolonged interest in players donning the whites. 

The 'Best Test Cricket Eleven of 2025' features some of the most talented and deft players across the international circuit. They cut others due to their stellar cricketing displays, individually and also while effectively contributing towards the success of their respective nations. Their work ethics and efficiency were unmatched over the entire year, and they bore the right blend of values to progress in the game. They charted themselves with intent and achieved great recognition. 

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A detailed look at the players who make up the playing XI as a Test unit for 2025. Their presence and position have been backed by their cumulative statistics during the same phase. 

The Best Test Cricket XI of 2025  

KL Rahul, Travis Head, Shubman Gill, Joe Root, Temba Bavuma (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (WK), Marco Jansen, Mitchell Starc, Simon Harmer, and Mohammad Siraj. 

KL Rahul

KL Rahul takes the first opener spot in the best Test XI of 2025. The period saw Rahul amass his best-ever tally of runs in a single calendar year. The Indian right-handed batter was pivotal in his side's success during the English summer. India drew that series two-all. His solid mettle and seniority acted as a backbone for the younger batters transitioning into the squad. He struck a couple of tons in England and another one in India. He also became the flagbearer for disciplined and meticulous test batting. 

Travis Head

Australia's Travis Head accompanies KL Rahul in the middle. The explosive batter played only half of his innings as an opener in 2025, but his impact was indelible. The southpaw hit swashbuckling hundreds at Perth and Adelaide during the Ashes 2025-26 series and turned the tables as usual. His strike rate (90-plus) was breathtaking, and his presence didn't let the opposition gain any fortunes. 

Shubman Gill

2025 saw Shubman Gill being handed over India's Test Cricket reins post the retirement of a couple of senior players. Traversing uncertainties and doubts, the elegant player made headlines for his outstanding performances both as the captain and with the bat. He had a stellar England tour in the middle of the year, was the top run scorer of both sides (754), had his career-best score of 269 runs become the highest figure by an Indian skipper overseas, and bagged the man of the series award. 

His injury-induced absence in the home rubber against South Africa hurt India immensely. The latter slumped to their lowest in the format, giving up the series 0-2. Nonetheless, Shubman finished the year as the leading run-getter and with a sizeable margin. 

Joe Root

The sensational Joe Root has made quite a habit of featuring in every Test team. The Englishman averaged over 50 during the year. He hit three centuries against India in the British summer and recently ended his drought of a ton in Australia. He managed to score his first-ever hundred Down Under, at Brisbane, in the ongoing Ashes Series. The Yorkshire player has perennially been synonymous with consistency. 

Temba Bavuma (Captain)

Under Temba Bavuma, the Proteas have almost become unbeatable regardless of the conditions and opponents. As their leader, in 2025, South Africa won all four matches. With the bat in his hands, he averaged over fifty. Winning the WTC final against the mighty Aussies was quite remarkable, a humongous highlight, a testament to Temba and the rainbow nation's success in Test Cricket. 

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, the batter, had a memorable year. He averaged over sixty, made six fifties and two centuries. This, by far, became the best year for him in terms of batting returns. 

In bowling, the form was not so great. However, 2025 brought the special moment when he completed the rare double of garnering 4000 runs and 300 wickets in his Test Cricket career. 

Alex Carey (Wicket-Keeper)

Alex Carey, Australia's man behind the stumps, had an exceptional year. His potent batting returns and the work with the tailenders proved invaluable on the majority of occasions. He smashed two tons, one in Sri Lanka and the other at his home ground in Adelaide during the Ashes 2025-26 series. 

Behind the poles, he was a force to reckon with. His skillful wicket-keeping display was entirely evident throughout the year. Against England, he became a beast of a proposition, as his glove work was equivalent to perfection. Technically sound in every way. 

Marco Jansen

Talk about pacers, and it begins with Marco Jansen. He had an all-round year like no other. The Proteas' all-weather player played an instrumental role with the bat. The tall man offered some very useful and match-defining contributions late in the innings to swing the tide towards his side. His strike rate was, at times, alarming for the opposition. 

With the ball, he took a six-fer in India and won the man of the match award in the second game of that series. His performances well and truly stood out. 

Mitchell Starc

The tall and lanky Aussie quick was a class apart. Known mainly for his fiery and hostile pace bowling, he also struck three fifties with the bat to add to his repertoire. 

He was at his lethal best with the red Kookaburra in his hands. Inevitably, he became England's nemesis in the Ashes 2025-26 and blew their top order off on quite a few instances. In 2025, scalping 55 wickets, no other bowler had a better strike rate than him. 

Simon Harmer

The standout and specialist spinner of 2025 made giant strides for South Africa. He victimized several batters with his incisive spin bowling. The veteran and a former Essex player used all his experience to disguise India with his guile, outshining their batters to win the man of the series trophy. He was the Proteas' leading wicket-taker and the anchor behind their success in the subcontinent. 

Mohammad Siraj

The inexorable lion-hearted Indian pacer ran relentlessly with the ball and never gave up. His fitness levels were extraordinary and enabled him to feature in the maximum number of games. With him around, there was always some spice in the pitch. His positivity rubbed off on other teammates as well. He was the man of the moment when India trumped England, by the barest of distances, in that historic Oval Test match.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the players included in the Best Test Cricket XI of 2025?

The Best Test XI of 2025 features standout performers from across the year — players who consistently delivered match-winning performances in the longest format.

2. How is the Best Test XI of 2025 selected?

The selection is based on overall performance, consistency, impact in key matches, and contribution to team success during the 2025 season.

3. Which country contributed the most players to the 2025 Test XI?

Teams like India, Australia, and England dominated the list, with several of their top-order batters and frontline bowlers making the cut.

4. Who narrowly missed out on the Best Test XI of 2025?

Some iconic players like Aiden Markram (South Africa), Ben Stokes (England), and Jasprit Bumrah (India), had strong individual seasons but narrowly missed the selection due to inconsistencies, form dips, injuries, or limited match appearances.

5. Why is 2025 considered a remarkable year for Test cricket?

2025 saw several thrilling series, record-breaking performances, and rising stars making their mark — reaffirming Test cricket’s timeless appeal.

6. What can we expect from Test cricket in 2026?

The year promises intense rivalries, packed schedules, and new talents emerging as teams prepare for major Test tours and the World Test Championship final in 2027. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly denied reports claiming that former India batter VVS Laxman was approached to take over as India’s next Test coach. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the claims, calling them “factually incorrect and baseless,” and clarified that there is no plan to change the Test team’s leadership.

The rumors gained momentum after India suffered a 0–2 home Test series loss to South Africa under current head coach Gautam Gambhir. This came soon after last year’s 0–3 whitewash against New Zealand at home, which ended India’s long unbeaten home Test run and ruled them out of the ICC World Test Championship final.

Following the South Africa defeat, India’s Test future has come under scrutiny again, with their chances of reaching the next World Test Championship final now depending on upcoming series results.

Saikia Calls Coaching Rumours “Speculative and Untrue”

Speaking to ANI, Saikia firmly rejected the speculation. He said, “This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputable news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies.” He added that the board has not taken any steps to change the Test coaching setup.

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Saikia further stated, “People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody's figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news.” While India’s Test performances have declined, the team has enjoyed strong success under Gambhir in limited-overs cricket, winning the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup T20I without losing a match. In contrast, India’s Test record under him stands at seven wins, 10 losses, and two draws.

India started Gambhir’s Test tenure with a home series win against Bangladesh and later secured a 2–2 draw in England under young captain Shubman Gill. However, losses to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa triggered concerns, particularly with the retirement of top players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Currently, India looks to defend the T20 World Cup title beginning February 7 against the USA with Suryakumar Yadav.

Cricket's pinnacle and ultimate format - 'The Test' - is stunning. It has several dimensions associated with it that make it second to none, and glorify its aesthetics. From the tough grind of five days, braving variable conditions and the ebbs and flows, to the sheer intensity of battles, the format is synonymous with life. It examines the players on their skills, tenacity, patience and perseverance. The real growth in a player occurs when the performance at the elite level is matched with consistency, and the red ball game is a great teacher of that subject. 

One such beautiful aspect of the longest format of the game is 'Pace Bowling'. Speed, thrill, goosebumps, fieriness, aggression, lethality, impact, etc, are some of the superlatives that describe it. Further, proverbs like 'Smell the Leather', 'Perfume Ball', 'Chin Music', among others, have been used as colloquial sayings in Test Cricket. They are all its indispensable parts.

A bowler, adorning the whites, marking his run-up, striding ahead with firm steps, the ball like a red cherry in his hands, arriving at the wicket and the popping crease, extending his levers, snapping his wrist, releasing the ball with immense pace to kiss the surface, and then that ball reaching the batter like a tracer-bullet, is a sight to behold.

Add to that the crowd rooting for him, and the entire scenario becomes a spectacle and a piece of art. It would be perfect to call it 'Poetry in Motion', after all, it's merely about rhythm, flow, momentum and resonance. The better these are, the higher the chances of the ball obeying the bowler's commands, making the batters dance accordingly with them. 

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This leads us to an intriguing question - 'Which has been the best pace bowling trio in the history of Test Cricket?' and how do numbers complement those players who are part of the said set. The eras that were decorated by their immaculate and fearful bowling, the comparison between them and their contemporary counterparts, and the legacy they had built for the current generations to take a cue from - all these shall aid in ranking the trios and provide an enriching insight into the folklore of bowling in Test Cricket. 

It is vital to mention that pace pairs are more common in a Test side. To support this assertion, one must look at the incisive swing bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis of Pakistan, and the English pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Finding and getting three such bowlers involved in the same team is a rarity. This includes only pure quicks and excludes fast bowling all-rounders.

However, in the 1970s-80s, the West Indies team were blessed and privileged to have a deadly bowling arsenal which was a pentad - a set of five. It was made up of the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Colin Croft. They featured regularly and bowled in tandem. Back then, there used to be no respite from any end. The batters did not get any discounts, and each one of those who faced them was like a deer in the headlights. 

Marshall, Garner, Holding

The trio of Marshall, Garner and Holding played 26 Test matches together and amassed 331 wickets at a frightening average of 22.51. They operated as a group for a span of 7-8 years during the 1980s. Their fast bowling exploits brought glory to the West Indies, and consequently, the team ruled the game by a handsome margin over others. 

Ambrose, Bishop, Walsh

During the 1990s, the Caribbean Test Cricket team boasted a potent trio of fast bowlers in Ambrose, Bishop, and Walsh. They shared their 412 wickets almost identically and democratically. They are, in fact, believed to be more lethal than their predecessors. 

McGrath, Gillespie, Lee

At the start of the century, Australia dominated World Cricket with elegance and pride. At the heart of the matter were the trio of McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee. In 22 matches, they scalped 243 wickets at an average of 28.47, as a unit. Moreover, among those 22 games, they won 15 and lost just three. 

Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison

Going neck and neck with their arch-rivals, Australia, England put across an impressive pace trio of Flintoff, Hoggard, and Harmison. During the same period and in 33 matches together, they struck 383 times. At home, they were almost unbeatable as they recorded 11 wins, 3 draws and just one loss. This included the famous Ashes series win in 2005. 

Steyn, Morkel, Philander

In the phase between 2011 and 2018, South Africa's red-ball bowling was spearheaded by three of the best quicks of this generation. Steyn breathed fire with his impeccable 'seam and swing' skills, Philander was consistently sharp, incisive and immaculate with his line and lengths, and Morkel extracted steep bounce courtesy of his height. As a combination, they were a nightmare for the opposition batters and were responsible for the Proteas holding the Test Mace during this period. Additionally, they ensured a perfect away record, winning 13 tests together, outside South Africa.  

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood

Australia's current big three in Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood have become the epitome of pace bowling and are recognised as ambassadors of Test Cricket. They bear a knack for searching for different yet successful ways to challenge the batters. Their presence has made their home, Down Under, a fortress and difficult to breach. Each one of them has bagged more than 150 wickets in 38 matches together, so far. Cumulatively, they have hunted down 466 batters by victimising them at an effectively paltry average of 24.50. 

Boult, Southee, Wagner

The New Zealand trio of Boult, Southee, and Wagner are statistically head and shoulders above everyone else. Playing together, in 40 matches, the Kiwis relished and dismissed the opposition batters an astounding 535 times, making them perish at an average of 25.98. They also possess symmetrical bowling numbers. Further, their mean of 13.38 wickets, together, per game makes them, hands down, way ahead of all the other names mentioned. 

On the fourth day of the second and final Test of the home series against Ireland, the Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam created history, as he surpassed the legendary Shakib Al Hasan to set a new Test record for the national team. 

At the end of Ireland’s first innings of the ongoing Mirpur Test, Taijul Islam equalled Shakib Al Hasan in the list of most Test wickets by a Bangladesh bowler. While Taijul bagged four wickets in that first innings, he recorded 246 Test wickets, an equal number of Test wickets by a Bangladesh bowler, which Shakib Al Hasan previously held the record alone.

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Taijul Islam becomes leading Test wicket-taker for Bangladesh

On the fourth day of the Mirpur Test, while Bangladesh set a monumental 509-run target for Ireland in the fourth innings, Taijul scalped three wickets to surpass Shakib Al Hasan to set a new record for most Test wickets by a Bangladesh bowler. 

In the sixth over of the fourth innings, Ireland lost their first wicket, as Taijul trapped Irish captain Andy Balbirnie (13) for an lbw dismissal to become the leading Test wicket-taker in Bangladesh cricket history. 

With two more wickets on the same day, Taijul finished the day with 249 Test wickets, as the left-arm spinner is one wicket away from becoming the first Bangladesh bowler to record 250 Test wickets. 

Bangladesh bowlers with most Test wickets

• Taijul Islam: 249 wickets
• Shakib Al Hasan: 246 wickets
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz: 209 wickets
• Mohammad Rafique: 100 wickets

Ireland stumped on the fourth day at 176/6. At the end of the fourth day, only Harry Tector (50) and Curtis Campher (34*) managed to reach the 20-run mark in the fourth innings.   

Earlier on the fourth day, Bangladesh declared their second innings of the match at 297/4, with the help of four half-centuries. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (60), Shadman Islam (78), Mominul Haque (87), and Mushfiqur Rahim (53*) played powerful knocks in the innings. 

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja created all-round history in Test cricket during the second day of the Kolkata Test against South Africa, where the left-handed batter scored a crucial 27 runs, which helped the hosts to earn a 30-run lead at the end of their first innings. 

In reply to South Africa's 159 all out in the first innings, India got a positive start despite the early wicket fall of the opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (12). Once KL Rahul and Washington Sundar's 57-run partnership for the second wicket was broken, the hosts were losing wickets at regular intervals. 

Ravindra Jadeja recorded 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket

Before Simon Harmer successfully trapped Ravindra Jadeja for an lbw, the left-handed batter scored a crucial 27 runs from 45 balls with three fours. When he completed 10 runs in that innings, Jadeja reached the 4000 Test runs milestone. Meanwhile, as a left-arm spinner, Jadeja has already recorded 338 Test wickets before South Africa's second innings in the Kolkata Test.

So, Jadeja has recorded 4000+ Test runs as well as 300+ Test wickets. He became the second Indian cricketer and fourth overall cricketer to record 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket. Kapil Dev was the first Indian to achieve these feats, while the English legend Ian Botham and the New Zealand legend Daniel Vettori were the other players to do so. 

IND vs SA: BCCI issues injury update after Shubman Gill retires hurt with neck spasm in Kolkata test

Cricketers with 4000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket

While South Africa scored 159 runs in the first innings of the Kolkata Test, India replied with 189 all out (captain Shubman Gill retired hurt for four runs), as the hosts earned a 30-run lead. 

South Africa ended their 18-year wait for a Test win in Pakistan after winning the second game of the two-match Test series at Rawalpindi to end the series level at 1-1. 

Leading the Test series by 1-0 after winning the series opener by 93 runs at Lahore, Pakistan chose to bat first at Rawalpindi. While they scored 333 runs in the first innings, South Africa were once struggling at 235/8, but the lower-order batters' brilliant batting helped the visitors to score 404 runs.

On the fourth day of the Test match, while Pakistan started at 94/4, South Africa bundled them out for only 138 runs, as the visitors needed only 68 runs in the fourth innings to win the game. South Africa lost only two late wickets to secure a comfortable win by eight wickets.

See Also: Older players create history during PAK vs SA 2nd Test: Know about record

South Africa recorded third Test win in Pakistan

It was South Africa's third Test win in Pakistan. After their first Test win at Faisalabad in 1997, the Proteas recorded their second Test victory in Pakistan at Karachi in 2007. Now, they won the third Test in Pakistan after recording one draw and three straight losses since their previous Test win in Karachi. It was the 18-year wait for South Africa to win a Test match in Pakistan.

Last time, South Africa beat Pakistan in Asia in the 2013 Dubai Test, where the Proteas won by an innings and 92 runs. After that Dubai Test victory, the Proteas suffered three straight Test defeats in Pakistan before winning the latest one at Rawalpindi.

South Africa won three out of last four Tests in Asia

After 14 winless Tests in Asia for a decade (four draws and 10 losses), South Africa have recorded three wins in their last four Tests in Asia. In October 2024, South Africa won two Tests in Bangladesh, and in the ongoing month, they first suffered the Lahore Test defeat before winning the Rawalpindi Test to level the series. 

South Africa will play their next Test series against the hosts India in upcoming November, which will also be a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

The Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd Test at Rawalpindi created history, an event that had not been experienced previously in almost 150 years of Test cricket. The older players set a new record in Test cricket.

Domination of older players: Keshav Maharaj, Asif Afridi, and Simon Harmer recorded five-wicket hauls

In the first innings of the Test match, while Pakistan scored 333 runs, the 35-year-old South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj recorded a seven-wicket haul as he had the bowling figures of 42.4-5-102-7. After Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon (four times), Maharaj became the second non-Asian bowler to record multiple seven-wicket hauls in Test cricket in Asia, while he previously recorded it in the 2018 Colombo (SSC) Test against Sri Lanka by recording nine wickets (9/129).

While South Africa replied with 404 all out, the 38-year-old Pakistan left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who made his international cricket debut, recorded the bowling figures of 34.3-6-79-6.

Pakistan were bundled out for only 138 runs in their second innings, where the 36-year-old off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed a six-fer, as he had the bowling figures of 20-5-50-6. 

See Also: Simon Harmer joins elite 1,000-wicket club with historic Test milestone

First time three different bowlers over 35 years old recorded five-wicket hauls

This is the first time in Test cricket history that three different bowlers over 35 years old recorded a fifer in a Test match. The record of two bowlers over 35 years old claimed the five-wicket haul in a Test match happened 10 times before the 2025 Rawalpindi Test match between Pakistan and South Africa. 

It was the must-win Test for South Africa to only level the series, as they suffered a defeat in the first Test of the two-match Test series by 93 runs at Lahore. While South Africa had a target of 68 runs in the fourth innings, they comfortably chased that target by losing two wickets, as they won the Test match by eight wickets. 

John Campbell, the West Indies opener, has etched his name in the history books as the first Caribbean opener to score a Test hundred in India in 23 years. The knock was particularly critical as the West Indies sought to redeem themselves from a disappointing start to the series. Keeping his cool and playing with stroke play and temperament, Campbell negotiated the Indian bowlers with calmness and poise and proved his worth on one of the most challenging pitches for any visiting batsmen. 

Campbell’s innings was filled with elegant drives, quick singles, and laser-like focus. He crafted solid partnerships that gave the West Indies innings some much-needed stability in its foundations. His ability to read spin and match the pace of Indian conditions spoke to the vast improvement of his model as a Test player. The last West Indies opener to achieve this benchmark in India was Sherwin Campbell back in 2002, so undoubtedly, this performance would invoke a considerable reaction from the Caribbean cricket fans on a day when the universe seemed outside of his orbit. 

The century not only represented individual brilliance from John Campbell, but it also symbolizes hope for West Indies cricket. For the longest time, the region's openers have struggled playing in subcontinent conditions, but Campbell's hundred showed that the new generation is willing to put their hand up. His innings may encourage many young West Indian players to believe it is possible to find success through consistent hard work, even if it is in unfamiliar territory.

🚨 JOHN CAMPBELL - FIRST WEST INDIES OPENER IN 23 YEARS TO SCORE A TEST HUNDRED IN INDIA. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/vrgU0QB1rX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 13, 2025

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A Moment to Remember 

John Campbell's century was not only about runs but also about character and confidence; facing world-class bowlers, he looked completely unfazed. With each shot played, he provided control and intent and assisted the team towards early momentum, with jubilant celebrations when noticing the three-figure mark. 

This innings will be remembered for more than just breaking a 23-year-long record, but for what belief, grit, and determination of the human spirit can achieve. Campbell's knock reminded the cricketing world that the Caribbean still has fire and fight left in a resurgent batting lineup, and the Caribbean spirit in Test cricket is indeed very much alive.

Mohammed Siraj has improved a lot since the days when he struggled with his bowling. Now, he is one of India’s top bowlers and helps the team win matches. In the recent five-match Test series against England, he took 23 wickets and played an important role in India drawing the series 2-2.

Mohammed Siraj’s Journey from Struggles to Success

But there was a time when things were tough for him. He used to leak runs and faced criticism and trolling on social media. “I was trolled when I didn’t bowl well in the IPL. If I performed, people praised me. If I didn’t, they would say, ‘Go ride the auto with your father,’” Siraj said.

Mohammed Siraj said, "when I joined the team, MS Dhoni told me, 'Don’t pay attention to what others say. When you are performing well the fans and the world will be with you and say there is no bowler like Siraj. In the next game, if you don’t perform, they will say go, ride the… pic.twitter.com/cQSKgDCB7U

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 6, 2025

He says MS Dhoni helped him deal with the pressure. “When I joined the Indian team, Dhoni told me not to worry about what people say. If you do well, everyone supports you. If you fail, some will abuse you,” he recalled. Dhoni’s advice stayed with him. “I realized that I don’t need outside praise. What matters are the opinions of my teammates and family.”

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Siraj’s journey is even more inspiring considering his family background. His father was an auto-rickshaw driver, and his mother worked hard to make ends meet. “I never thought I would play for India. We didn’t have much money. I used to give the money I earned from tennis-ball cricket to my parents,” he shared. Today, he credits his success to hard work, God, and the blessings of his parents.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized star batsman Shreyas Iyer for taking a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Vengsarkar was shocked when Iyer quoted fitness concerns for red-ball cricket but being perfectly fit for white-ball cricket. The 30-year-old Iyer has played 14 Tests for India, making 811 runs with an average of 36.86, including one century and five half-centuries.

Iyer played his last Test in February 2024 before being dropped on grounds of form and fitness issues. He has since played numerous red-ball games in domestic cricket. He was recently appointed captain of India A for the four-day series against Australia A but left the second game after participating in the first.

He was also expected to feature in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup and was in line for a potential return to the Indian Test team for the home series against the West Indies. However, Iyer requested a six-month break from red-ball cricket due to back concerns, which the BCCI approved. Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the period would allow Iyer to build endurance and work on fitness levels.

Vengsarkar Questions Red-Ball Break

Despite the BCCI’s approval, Vengsarkar is unhappy with Iyer’s decision. Speaking to Mid-day, he said, “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 the 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.”

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Meanwhile, with Rohit Sharma recently sacked as India’s ODI captain, Shubman Gill was elevated to captain for the Australia tour, and Iyer was named his deputy. Legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh praised Iyer’s return to a leadership role, calling him an impact player. “I’m very happy for Shreyas Iyer. He’s one of those guys who hardly gets the credit he deserves. We talk about that World Cup in India, he scored back-to-back centuries, and with what pace! He’s an impact player; when he gets going, he makes things easy for the dressing room and the other batters. I’m happy he’s back in the scheme of things, not just as a player but with a bigger responsibility as vice-captain. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table in terms of ideas and how he and Shubman Gill take this team forward,” he added.