Indian ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer suffered a serious rib cage injury during the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney. The injury occurred
when Iyer took a stunning running catch near third man, forcing him to leave the field and subsequently be hospitalized.
With his availability in doubt ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 30, the Men in Blue will be looking for a capable replacement in the middle order. Here are three potential options who could fill Iyer’s spot in the line-up.
Here are 3 possible replacements for Shreyas Iyer in India squad
3. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar stands out as a strong contender to replace Iyer at the crucial No. 4 position. Having already featured in a few Tests and one ODI for India, Patidar has demonstrated composure and consistency in domestic cricket. His leadership credentials are equally impressive, he guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden IPL title, led Central Zone to Duleep Trophy success, and captained the Rest of India in the Irani Cup.
Patidar’s recent domestic form has been exceptional, scoring heavily across formats. His ability to build partnerships and anchor innings makes him a natural fit in the middle order, offering India stability and intent in the absence of Iyer.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad is another top candidate to replace Iyer for the South Africa series. Having played six ODIs and 20 T20Is, Gaikwad has proven his adaptability across formats. He is known for his calm temperament and elegant stroke play, and has impressed in domestic cricket, notably in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
As the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Gaikwad also brings valuable leadership experience and tactical understanding. His ability to rotate strike and accelerate when needed could provide balance to India’s batting line-up. Speaking of his Ranji batting positions, the Pune-born has slotted him to fourth position in First-Class cricket, indicating that he can be played in the middle order for the Indian team, too.
1. Narayan Jagadeesan
Narayan Jagadeesan could also be considered for a debut call-up in the upcoming ODI series. The wicketkeeper-batter has been a standout performer in the domestic circuit, known for his versatility. Not to forget that he holds the record for the highest-ever individual score in List A cricket — a 277 off 141 balls he hit for Tamil Nadu against Arunachal in 2022.
He can adapt to multiple batting positions and play according to the match situation. Though yet to feature for the Men in Blue, Jagadeesan’s impressive domestic record makes him a worthy contender to fill the Mumbai-born Iyer's void in the upcoming ODI series.
