The third Test between India and England will start on February 15 in Rajkot.
Shreyas Iyer has been left out of the squad for the last three Test matches against England despite having a strong longformat history. Iyer has been finding it difficult to score in Tests. Iyer has only scored 187 runs in 12 innings at an average of 17:00 in his last seven Test matches, with a top score of just 35.

NEW DELHI: Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, who is now under fire, received guidance from former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar to improve his defensive skills in order to succeed in Test cricket. Iyer has been left out of the squad for the last three Test matches against England despite having a strong long-format history. Iyer has been finding it difficult to score in Tests.

"Iyer has to decide which are the formats he is going to try and excel in. If Tests continue to be his priority, then he has got to work on his defensive game whether it's pace and bounce or spin. Develop a game where he is confident in defence and then when he takes the aggressive route it is an extension of the defensive play where he is trying to dominate and not escape pressure by playing a counter-attacking game," said Manjrekar.

Regarding his prediction for the third Test lineup, Manjrekar stated that KL Rahul will return as a specialist batsman and acknowledged that he has no idea what the team management is considering when it comes to the wicketkeeper position. With just 221 runs scored in seven games at an average of 20.09 and no fifty in 12 innings, KS Bharat has not performed adequately. 44 is his greatest score. Manjrekar said that he would like to see India play other wicket-keeping options. "Rahul definitely comes in for a batter. Have no idea what the team management and the selectors are thinking about the keeper. Before Rishabh Pant comes and takes his rightful place in the Test squad, would like to have a look at some of the other options India have," added Manjrekar.