Is India overthinking the left-right combination? Shreyas Iyer deserves a spot regardless of Kohli’s fitness

The debate over India’s playing XI has once again taken center stage, with Shreyas Iyer’s place in the team under scrutiny despite his consistent performances. With Virat Kohli missing the first ODI against England due to a knee issue, Iyer made the most of his opportunity by scoring a quickfire 59 runs. However, if Kohli regains fitness before the second ODI in Cuttack, one player will have to make way for him. The question is: should it be Shreyas Iyer?

Shreyas Iyer’s late inclusion in the playing XI highlights the uncertainty surrounding India’s batting order. The decision to include Yashasvi Jaiswal not only disrupted India’s established opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill but also raised questions about the team’s long-term plans.

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With Gill pushed to No. 3, it remains unclear how India would have structured their batting order had Kohli been available. While Jaiswal’s selection might have been a move to give him exposure ahead of the Champions Trophy, Gill’s shift to the middle order suggests India could be testing backup options in case of injuries or form concerns.

However, considering Shreyas Iyer’s proven credentials at No. 4, including his stellar Cricket World Cup campaign, dropping him in favor of tactical experiments would be a questionable call.

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Does the left-right combination matter more than form?

The Indian team management has often emphasized the importance of maintaining a left-right batting combination in the middle order. This has remained stagnant in the past few years despite the change in coaching staff and captains. While this tactic is useful for disrupting a bowler’s rhythm, should it come at the cost of a consistent performer like Shreyas Iyer?

Iyer has been a regular in India’s ODI setup since the buildup of the 2023 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in the team’s success. He carried that form into the first ODI against England, proving his worth once again. If Kohli had been fit for the series opener, there was a real possibility that Iyer might have been left out just to accommodate an extra left-hander and all-rounder like Axar Patel.

In the first ODI, India relied on Axar Patel to provide balance as a left-handed option in the middle order. He was sent up the batting order ahead of more prominent batters like KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. But what if Axar had been dismissed early and the middle order collapsed? Wouldn’t a proven batter have been a safer bet? The obsession with left-right combinations, while strategically valid, shouldn’t override the importance of form and experience.

Who will make way for Virat Kohli?

With Kohli’s potential return for the second ODI, either Shreyas Iyer or Yashasvi Jaiswal will have to sit out. While Jaiswal is still finding his feet in the ODI setup, Iyer has been a mainstay and has already proven his worth at No. 4. If the management chooses to drop Iyer, it would send the wrong message about prioritizing tactical preferences over performance.

While the left-right combination is a tactical advantage, it shouldn’t dictate selection decisions to the extent that in-form players are sidelined. Shreyas Iyer has consistently delivered for India in ODIs, and his spot should not be sacrificed, even if Kohli is fit.

The second ODI between India and England is scheduled to take place at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium on Sunday, 9 February.