Shreyas Iyer may have his short ball issues, but with impactful and consistent performances, the 28-year-old is making strong claims to not just be part of the squad of Team India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, to be played at home, but he’s made such a strong case to be part of the playing XI ahead of a couple of others players.
Another such brilliant innings from the KKR captain came on Wednesday, in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka, under the big pressure run-chase of a series decider on a tricky, sticky, low Dhaka pitch.
In 2022, Iyer averages 60 in ODIs, scoring 721 runs at a strike rate of 91 with the help of 6 fifties and a century in 14 ODI innings.
While Iyer’s innings – 82 runs off 102 balls – couldn’t help India win the match – despite the injured captain Rohit Sharma’s heroics of 51* (28) – the right-hander showcased his excellent skillset against spinners once again and also gave another highlight of his calm temperament that is needed in India’s middle-order.
Shreyas Iyer was India’s highest scorer in their loss in 2nd ODI
Bangladesh had all the momentum – after they had piled up 271 runs courtesy of a sizzling maiden ODI century from Mehidy Hasan as the hosts ransacked over 100 runs in the last 10 overs – when they came out to bowl. And it showed: India lost makeshift opener Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Washington Sundar in the first 10 overs, and KL Rahul by the 20th over.
Iyer formed small partnerships with Sundar (26 (43)) and Rahul (26 (51)) before he got better support from Axar Patel. Not only the pair of Axar and Iyer scored a century stand, but they also did it at a quicker rate. Their stand of 107 (101) was broken with Iyer’s wicket, the batter, having hit Mehidy a six, perished while attempting another big hit. Shreyas Iyer smashed a total of 6 fours and 3 eye-catching sixes in it.
Fans hailed Shreyas Iyer for his gritty knock in the 2nd ODI vs Bangladesh:
Here are the reactions of fans on Twitter on Shreyas Iyer:
ODI batters with more runs AND higher average AND better strike rate (all three) than Shreyas Iyer:
AB de Villiers
end of list— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) December 7, 2022
Currently, Shreyas Iyer is the best ODI batsman in Team India.
— Avinash Aryan (@AvinashArya09) December 7, 2022
Last 10 ODI scores for Shreyas Iyer
54, 63, 44, 50, 113*, 28*, 80, 49, 24 & 82
One century
Five half centuries
Two 40+ scores
He has been in some good form lately pic.twitter.com/phl1t580Pq— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) December 7, 2022
Most 50+ scores after 34 ODI innings
17: Jonathan Trott
16: Shreyas Iyer*— The Cricket Panda (@TheCricketPanda) December 7, 2022
Another day of Shreyas Iyer showing his worth to this ODI setup. A street-fighter’s attitude second to none. Fine innings again under pressure! #BANvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) December 7, 2022
Fastest to 1500 ODI runs for India:
Shreyas Iyer – 34 innings
KL Rahul – 36 innings
Virat Kohli – 38 inningsDependable. pic.twitter.com/wiC9ltQL0G
— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) December 7, 2022
Chahe Desh Badle, Maidan Badle, Situation Badle….Shreyas Iyer Consistent hi milega….
👏👏👏#INDvsBAN #ShreyasIyer #CricketTwitter— Dheeraj Singh (@Dheerajsingh_) December 7, 2022
Another ODI fifty for Shreyas Iyer. He continues to find runs while few are on hope to come good. For all his shortcomings, he is able to score, that’s what is key.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 7, 2022
Iyer is carrying this ODI team still gaali bhi vo hi khata hai bechara
— Udit (@udit_buch) December 7, 2022
Shreyas Iyer is ruining our road to World Cup 2023. While everyone is trying their best to keep us grounded, look at him.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 7, 2022
Well played, Shreyas Iyer. Scored 82 in 102 balls at a much needed time for India, he’s been in some sort of form.
What a player! pic.twitter.com/O9Xugi6yeL
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 7, 2022
Shreyas Iyer in the last 11 ODIs:
– 80 (111).
– 54 (57).
– 63 (71).
– 44 (34).
– 50 (37).
– 113* (111).
– 28* (23).
– 80 (76).
– 49 (59).
– 24 (39).
– 82 (102).– Breathtaking stuff from Iyer! pic.twitter.com/8k9Z7eDNf8
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 7, 2022
Shreyas Iyer should be a synonym for consistency.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) December 7, 2022
