After a sparkling fifty – 57* off 28 balls – in the first T20I versus Sri Lanka just two days ago, Shreyas Iyer slammed another half-century worth 74* off 44 balls – a Man of the Match worthy knock – to take India to victory in the second T20I on Saturday in Dharamsala, sealing another home series.
His partnership of 84 runs from 47 balls with Sanju Samson, who later credited Iyer’s tempo for allowing him to take time to settle in, put India in the driver’s seat in the chase of 184. However, Iyer was in fact lucky to even score more than four runs.
He played a beautiful and confident straight drive on his first ball for a boundary. However, on his fourth ball he did the funky stuff that he does against fast bowler Chameera: Iyer moved well outside to the off stump then went well on the leg side of the leg stump, while Chameera stuck with his swinging yorker. Iyer was fortunate that the yorker swung a bit too much and missed the off-stump by inches.
“I was in shock when I saw the replays myself,” Iyer said later on, explaining that he was looking to hit over the off-side field.
He got away with nearly getting bowled and also thick edged Kumara wide of the slip fielder. However, he didn’t give any chance for the rest of his innings and mauled all the Lankan bowlers.
First, he took down Binura Fernando for three consecutive boundaries in the ‘V’. “It was important for me to time the ball – it was swinging and seaming,” he said.
Then he took the attack to Praveen Jayawickrama, tonking the left-arm spinner for a couple of down the ground sixes while dancing down the pitch. “When I faced the first few balls, I realised it wasn’t turning (on the spinner), so I knew I could use the feet, the ball was travelling well, so I could step out on the lofted shots,” Iyer explained.
As Samson was settling in upon his comeback to the side, Shreyas took the pressure off him with two more hits over the fence – to Karunaratne and Shanaka – bringing up his second consecutive fifty in the process.
After Samson slaughtered Kumara for 23 runs, putting India in control, Iyer rotated the strike with singles as Jadeja (45 off 18) took over to showcase his power-hitting, completing the chase inside 18 overs.
With the two knocks in these two games versus Sri Lanka, Iyer has further strengthened his claim for a place in India’s first eleven going forward as the management looks to build the side for the T20 World Cup.
Fans were over the moon to see Shreyas Iyer succeed and further his cause to a place in the middle-order.
Consistency of Shreyas Iyer: 57*(28) and 74*(44) vs Sri Lanka – the best part about his batting is his confidence in any situation and that is what makes him better as well. pic.twitter.com/BTJTmmZvGf
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 26, 2022
Shreyas Iyer, what a player of spin bowling!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 26, 2022
“Shreyas Iyer appreciation Tweet”
Life has been tough for him after his shoulder injury, getting dropped as a captain at DC, losing his permanent spot in ODI and T20 team. But you gotta make everything of the chances and that’s exactly what he has done this series. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/bUdXNVRD5i— Cricket’s Chancellor (@Cricchancellor) February 26, 2022
This is the 1st time that someone other than Virat Kohli has hit 2 consecutive 50s at Number 3 for India in T20Is. Shreyas Iyer. ?
— Naman Agarwal (@CoverDrivenFor4) February 26, 2022
A terrific knock from Shreyas Iyer – 74* (44). Came when India lost the captain in the first over, but later with Sanju Samson he absolutely put on a show. Two back to back superb knocks by Iyer. pic.twitter.com/0UeNJBz6GX
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 26, 2022
When life gives you lemon,squeeze them into people’s eyes
And when life gives you opportunities,grab them like Shreyas Iyer?#shreyasiyer pic.twitter.com/YoMsG67hj6— R? (@msd_shreyas) February 26, 2022
Shreyas Iyer in t20is has scored 632 runs at 148 SR and 39.5 avg since Nov 2019.
He has contributed in every series since then except for WI 2019 series.— Prithvi (@Puneite_) February 26, 2022
Delhi Capitals owners after watching Shreyas Iyer Batting. pic.twitter.com/UTeq7ttcP1
— KKR Bhakt??? (@KKRSince2011) February 26, 2022
Surya Kumar yadav and shreyas Iyer both deserve to play next T20 world cup. Difficult for Captain Rohit Sharma to decide now. #INDvsSL
— ANSHUMAN? (@AvengerReturns) February 26, 2022
Shreyas is a perfect example of how one should make every damn opportunity count when it arrives. Reason why I respect him a lot.
— tea_addict ?? (@on_drive23) February 26, 2022
