New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has advised Shreyas Iyer to avoid rushing back into action, emphasizing the importance of being cautious about the tendency to hurry while batting and the desire to make an immediate impact in the upcoming ODI series opener against New Zealand, scheduled to take place in Vadodara on Sunday.

Iyer, who serves as India’s ODI vice-captain, is preparing to return to international cricket following a serious spleen injury he incurred while attempting to catch a ball from Alex Carey during the third ODI in Sydney on October 25. He was hospitalized due to internal bleeding from a spleen laceration and underwent a minor surgical procedure.

Having missed India’s 2-1 ODI series victory over South Africa, Iyer has since recovered and demonstrated his fitness by participating in Mumbai’s last two league matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) in Jaipur, scoring 82 and 45 runs.

“The main danger is the tendency to rush, wanting to start well and contribute immediately. This is something Shreyas Iyer needs to be aware of. Nevertheless, he has made a commendable comeback by performing well for his home team in domestic cricket. He possesses a solid understanding of ODI cricket,” said Bangar on JioStar.

“He has been playing international cricket for several years. His performance in the 2023 World Cup, particularly his ability to dominate spin, was remarkable. His skills will be crucial. In the previous series, Ruturaj Gaikwad occupied the number four position due to his ability against spin. Now, with Shreyas Iyer returning, that spot will revert to him, maximizing his strengths,” Bangar added.

Bangar also discussed Shubman Gill’s early journey as India’s ODI captain, referring to him as a developing leader. “It is still early in his captaincy career. Shubman Gill had an impressive Test series in England and faced challenges in Australia. It's premature to make judgments now. His captaincy will improve with experience,” he remarked.

“He is well-supported on the field, benefiting from the leadership experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during high-pressure situations. He is set to evolve and eventually become a strong ODI captain,” he indicated.

Regarding Gill’s performance in ODIs at home, Bangar pointed out the advantage of spin-friendly conditions and a stable batting lineup against a less experienced New Zealand squad. “Captaining in home ODIs should pose no challenge for Shubman Gill. Playing in familiar territory offers advantages, especially with outstanding spinners like Kuldeep Yadav who can excel,” he stated.

“In the past, India has occasionally left Kuldeep out of ODIs outside the subcontinent, which has raised concerns, but I do not foresee this being an issue at home. This ensures that wicket-taking options remain available.”

“Additionally, with high-performing players like Shreyas Iyer returning and KL Rahul maintaining consistency in a different role, there are numerous batting positives. Playing at home should enable India to leverage spin as a significant asset, especially during the middle overs,” he concluded.