Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has expressed his scepticism over Shreyas Iyer skipping red-ball cricket. It is because, recently, Shreyas Iyer captained the unofficial India vs Australia Test, but did not play in the second Test due to back problems. Yet, he played the unofficial ODI matches against Australia A, and is also named vice captain for the upcoming ODI series.

Shreyas Iyer’s Test career has been put on hold since early 2024. In total, he has played 14 Test matches, with 811 runs, at an average of 36.86. The numbers look pretty average, but his inconsistencies and injuries made him fall out of the red ball cricket.

Iyer has also been named as the vice captain in the upcoming ODI squad of India vs Australia. That is why questions are raised on this contrast, if he could field, dive, bat in white ball format, why not in the longer format?

Dilip Vengsarkar questions Shreyas Iyer’s selective fitness

Vengsarkar did not hold back his criticism and called it a double standard in regards to Shreyas Iyer’s fitness claims. Speaking to Mid-Day, he said, "To be honest, it’s a dilemma for me. He says he is unfit for red-ball cricket but fit for white-ball cricket. I don’t understand the difference. If a player is fit for white-ball cricket, he should logically be fit for red-ball cricket as well. Choosing one format over the other is beyond my comprehension."

Vengsarkar questioned the player prioritising shorter ball formats, rather than playing the traditional game, remarking the consistency and commitment needed.

Vengsarkar isn't the only person having these concerns. More and more ex-cricketers are casting doubt on this concept of format-specific fitness, considering it an easy way out for those sidestepping the dramas of Test cricket. The very format of red-ball cricket demands patience, resilience, and intense concentration, attributes that the careers of legends such as Vengsarkar were founded on.