'Shreyas Iyer's injury has suddenly opened Pandora's box' - Aakash Chopra analyzes India's team combination ahead of 1st Australia Test

Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes that Shreyas Iyer’s absence from the first Test against Australia has put Rohit Sharma & Co. in a difficult spot. He reckons that the only number five batter who’s available for selection is Suryakumar Yadav. But with other players in form and the Mumbai batter not having enough experience of playing red-ball cricket at the highest level, the 32-year-old might find it difficult to make it to the playing XI.

The 45-year-old also mentioned that Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are the designated openers of the side, but if required Rahul can be sent to bat at number five as he has experience playing in the middle order.

"Shreyas Iyer's injury is another problem. It has suddenly opened a Pandora's box, that whom should you play. If a No. 5 batter is sitting outside in this team, it is Suryakumar Yadav.

Shubman Gill's case is very strong (to open with Rohit) because he is coming after scoring runs in Bangladesh as well and no one has scored more runs than him in 2023. The guy is not taking the name of stopping. So you think you can get him to open. If he is made to open with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul might be sent to bat down the order,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

You can give a debut to Suryakumar Yadav, but with Australia in front, maybe you are not that confident: Chopra

When it comes to T20 cricket, Suryakumar Yadav is arguably the first name on the team sheet but that cannot be said when it comes to the other two formats. However, courtesy of having a good record in domestic cricket, the Mumbai-born batter has earned a spot in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but Aakash Chopra believes that the cricketer might not earn his debut cap as Australia are a tough opponent to deal with.

“The injury concerns are a slight spanner in the works. You can give a debut to Suryakumar Yadav, but I personally feel that first match with Australia in front, maybe you are not that confident,” said Chopra on the same show.

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