‘Game not suited for …’ - Monty Panesar gives his frank opinion on Indian cricket team star’s Test future

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has made a huge statement on the Test future of one of the Indian cricket team’s leading players. The player in question is none other than Shreyas Iyer, who is currently leading Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 season. Iyer last played Test cricket for India in early 2024 against England, after which he was dropped. 

The 30-year-old joined a select band of cricketers when he scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in 2021 at Kanpur. In 14 Test matches so far, Iyer has scored 811 runs with an average of 36 along with one century and five half-centuries. Indian cricket selectors ignored Iyer for the upcoming tour of England, which didn’t sit down well with many fans. 

According to Monty Panesar, the reason behind the exclusion is Iyer’s inability to play in English conditions. Panesar urged Iyer to play county cricket to better his game in a bid to make it back to the Indian Test side. The Shubman Gill-led side will play their first match of the series on 20th June at Headingley in Leeds. 

Monty Panesar on Shreyas Iyer’s Test future

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the former English tweaker said, “Shreyas Iyer's got a very good technique against flat tracks and bouncy pitches. I think the swinging conditions – maybe his technique doesn't line up at the moment. That's what I think. Because I think his hands are a bit hard. He hasn't got the soft touch, playing late with the swing ball. Seeing the swing early and playing late, he does come hard at the ball.”

The former left-arm spinner also added, “So, I think technique-wise, his game probably isn't suited for swinging conditions at the moment. And that's why they probably thought that, giving some of the other players a go whose game is suited against swinging-seeming conditions. In terms of Shreyas Iyer, to get into the Test team, I think he needs to play county cricket."

Monty Panesar ended by saying, “If he's serious about playing Test cricket, he needs to find a county and play a season of county cricket. And then, prove to the selectors that his technique is up to standard.” It is to be noted that Iyer had scored 480 runs in the last Ranji season with a best of 233 with an average of 68 with two centuries.