Iyer falls cheaply, scores just 8 vs Australia A

Out of touch and seemingly out of form, star India batter Shreyas Iyer was on Thursday dismissed for just eight runs by Corey Rocchiccioli on Day 3 of the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia

A in Lucknow, where Iyer is leading the side.

Having come into the crease in the 59th over after Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal for 73, Iyer did score a boundary, giving some hope, before being trapped LBW by Rocchiccioli in the 62nd over.

Iyer would still look to make a mark in India’s second innings, if the hosts get a chance to bat, to show his prowess and push his case for a spot in India’s Test squad, which will face the West Indies in two Tests, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad.

Iyer was last seen in action in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored 25 and 12 in his two innings. His last big knock was an unbeaten 87 in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025, which was in early June.

Iyer was out of action for over three months and that seems to have taken a toll on his form. He last played a Test in February 2024 against England and his last appearance for India was in March, in the final of the Champions Trophy.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Australia A declared on 532/6, riding on centuries from Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper Josh Phillippe, who was unbeaten on 123.

India got a good start in their first innings, with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Narayan Jagadeesan adding 88 runs for the opening stand, before the former was dismissed by Liam Scott.

Jagadeesan and Sudharsan then added 49 runs for the second wicket before the former was dismissed by Xavier Bartlett.

Sudharsan and Padikkal then added 76 runs for the third wicket before the former was dismissed by Cooper Connolly. At the time of writing, the latter was joined by Dhruv Jurel in the middle.