Ex-India Batting Coach Warns Shreyas Iyer Ahead Of Comeback: 'The One Risk...'

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has advised ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer against rushing his efforts on the field in the ODI series opener against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday.

The first match will mark Iyer’s return to international cricket in about three months following a serious spleen injury sustained while attempting a catch off Alex Carey in the third ODI in Sydney on October 25. He was hospitalized with internal bleeding from a spleen laceration and underwent a minor operation before undergoing an exhaustive rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

He was initially in doubt for this series, with reports suggesting that he had lost too much weight in his time away. But the 31-year-old got a late clearance from

the CoE and demonstrated his fitness by playing in Mumbai’s last two league games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Jaipur, where he scored 82 and 45.

“The one risk is that you can get hurried, wanting to start well and contribute immediately,” Bangar said on JioStar. “That is what Shreyas Iyer should be mindful of. But he has made a good comeback, playing well for his home team in domestic cricket. He understands ODI cricket very well. He has been in international cricket for years. Since 2023, the way he played in the World Cup, dominating spin, was a treat to watch. His skills will be very useful. In the last series, Ruturaj Gaikwad got the number four spot for his spin play. Now, Shreyas Iyer returns and takes that spot back, so his strong point will be used fully.”

Bangar also commented on Shubman Gill’s wobbly start as India’s ODI captain, with a 2-1 defeat in Australia.

“It is early days. Shubman Gill had a great Test tour of England and a tough one in Australia. You cannot judge him too much right now. It is a work in progress. The more he captains, the better he will get. He has good support on the field, with access to the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for leadership decisions under pressure. He is going to grow and eventually become a good ODI captain,” he said.