India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has enjoyed a fabulous 2022. He grabbed every opportunity that he got with both his hands as he asserted his dominance across formats. Shreyas has been the highest run-getter this year, having amassed 1,493 runs in 38 innings across three formats. His most recent quality innings came during the first innings of the opening Test match against Bangladesh, where he played a stunning knock of 86 runs off 192 balls.
In the 1st Test match against Bangladesh, Shreyas walked at no.6, when team India was in deep trouble at 112/4. He formed a brilliant partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara and added 149 runs for the fifth-wicket and brought India into the game. This wasn’t the first time Iyer showed his mettle in red-ball cricket for team India, as he already has 4 half-centuries and a Test ton to his name.
Mohammad Kaif compared Iyer to Dhoni
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif is very impressed with Shreyas Iyer’s consistent performances across formats. Infact, the former cricketer even went on to draw comparison between his batting techniques to that of MS Dhoni.
Kaif also lauded Shreyas for scoring consistently despite failing against the short ball on a few occasions. Notably, Iyer’s issue against the short ball was exposed during the IPL and he has been struggling because of the same. The issue eventually cost him a place in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup squads. Comparing Iyer with Dhoni, Kaif said that though the former captain doesn’t play the conventional shots but he still managed to score big runs and win matches for India.
Speaking on Sony Sports while reviewing India’s performance in the first Test, Kaif said: “We always talk about Dhoni that he doesn’t look good but score runs and wins matches. Shreyas Iyer also has the same class, he knows how to make runs. There is a weakness, gets out while playing the pull shot but despite that, he has a good record in 2022,”
Mohammad Kaif talked about Iyer’s struggle with short ball:
Kaif further praised Iyer for his knock against Bangladesh and said he was the prime reason behind India defeating the hosts in the first match. He said:
“He is in good form and scoring in every match. It is a big thing to score in the first innings. India got the big lead because of his innings. He plays good drives and uses his feet as well, he is a complete batter,”
He added:
“He has issues against the bouncer but every batter has some or other weakness. It will remain throughout his life, he will have to deal with it always, but what he has done is praiseworthy.”
“Shreyas Iyer scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur. The knock he played in this Test match was also fantastic. He knows how to score in all areas, plays spin well, goes to the pitch of the ball and defends, plays cuts off the back foot, and lofted shots down the ground,” he said.
