It’s time Shreyas Iyer is inducted into Indian team: Dilip Vengsarkar

Ever since receiving the 'Emerging Player of the Year' award in the 2015 Indian Premier League, Shreyas Iyer has been a name much-touted for a spot in the Indian team. With the youngster having finished a prolific Ranji Trophy season scoring 1321 runs off 11 matches at an average of 73.38 including four centuries, former India selector Dilip Vengsarkar wants to see Iyer in the national colours and said that he is ready for International cricket.

“Yes, Shreyas was outstanding. He is a top class player and is in great form. I watched him closely when he scored a hundred in the final. The wicket had something for the fast bowlers and Jaidev Unadkat was firing on all cylinders. The way Shreyas faced him and scored runs off him, I am convinced he is ready for international cricket. It's time he is inducted, “Vengsarkar said in an interview to Cricbuzz.

Vengsarkar also praised the performance of pacer Shardul Thakur, who took 41 wickets in the season, including a fifer in the second innings against Saurashtra in the final.

“It's important for a player to get selected when he is young and in form and it is here that the judgement of the selectors comes into play. Shardul Thakur is another one. He has been picking wickets by the dozens in the last couple of seasons and is consistently hitting 135-140 kmph. It's unfortunate that the present selection committee is happy selecting the same set of bowlers when they have the talent around and can build the bench strength for the future,” said Vengsarkar, who is the current vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association.