'Easy to raise fingers': Kapil Dev responds to Gambhir's remark on Iyer's ODI WC inclusion

While the win in Asia Cup 2023 comes as a much-needed impetus before the start of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, injury issues are still prevalent with certain players. Thus, suspense on their selection in the final World Cup squad is still at large. Shreyas Iyer is the focal point of the subject and so far varied opinions regarding his future have emerged.

3 things you need to know 

• KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were brought back into the squad for the Asia Cup 2023
• KL Rahul made an immediate impact
• Shreyas Iyer developed a back spasm after the first two matches of the tournament

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Plightful Asia Cup for Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, who made a return to the team in the Asia Cup 2023 after a long injury layoff could not go on past the first two matches and developed a back spasm. He did not feature in the remainder of the tournament and in the meanwhile Ishan Kishan has emerged as a capable option. Iyer's absence has made many experts raise doubt over whether he should continue being a part of the team, and Gautam Gambhir, who is known to express his opinion in a blatant manner has made it known that it is difficult to push Iyer and a substitute for him may come in soon.

"It is a concern. You were out for such a lengthy time and then you return for the Asia Cup, play one match and then again become unfit. I don't think after this team management will pick up him for such a big tournament. You will see in the coming days that Iyer won't be part of the World Cup squad and someone will be replacing him. You should always go into a World Cup with fit players. Performance is a different thing. Imagine if a player suffers from a spasm or some other thing then you cannot find a replacement. So if Iyer hasn't been fit in this tournament then it is very difficult for him to be part of the World Cup because of his injury and then we don't even know how is form is presently. Whatever his form was, it was 7-8 months back after which he only played in one game. So it is unfortunate," he had said.

Giving my all to my craft 💥 pic.twitter.com/wz36Mmi6Gq

— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) September 7, 2023

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Kapil Dev pays heed on the uncertainty surrounding Shreyas Iyer

While Gambhir seemingly does not see Iyer in the World Cup squad, the subject reached the former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev. Though, Dev did not take a certain stance on whether Iyer should be there or not, he did say that it is easy to raise fingers and one must watch out for the call of the selectors. Kapil Dev, addressed the topic on Monday, on the sidelines of the launch of the third edition of J&K Open.

"I am nobody to answer that. The selectors are doing their job. It is very easy to raise fingers at one player," he said. Iyer has been picked for the three-match ODI series against Australia, starting September 22.