Shreyas Iyer performance in the current ODI World Cup has impressed former India star Anil Kumble. Prior to his amazing knock against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, the 28-year-old had a rough tournament debut and faced harsh criticism. The Mumbai-born cricketer scored 77 runs at Eden Gardens against South Africa and formed a crucial alliance with Virat Kohli. Iyer was merciless in India’s league final match against the Netherlands, smashing 128* runs in 94 deliveries.
Shreyas Iyer is psychologically strong because it is difficult to make a comeback after a protracted absence, Kumble said, praising him for his efforts thus far. Due to a back ailment, the cricket player was forced to miss a large portion of 2023 and faced the possibility of missing the ODI World Cup. He did, however, make a full recovery and regained his position in the team, now ranking third for India in the major competition.
Even at the Test level, Shreyas Iyer has produced clutch hits that have won matches. It just goes to show how he handles pressure and his temperament,” ESPNcricinfo cited Kumble as saying.
“Discussions about what would happen to Shreyas when Hardik (Pandya) returned to the field took place even before the Wankhede match against Sri Lanka. However, he scored an 80 there, then a 70, and finally a hundred. Being able to return from a lengthy break and compete in the World Cup immediately afterward demonstrates his mental toughness, he continued.
India defeated the Netherlands by 160 runs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Shreyas Iyer scored his first ODI World Cup century. While Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli each scored a half-century, KL Rahul became the first Indian player to reach a century in World Cup history. Indian hitters have so demonstrated their class ahead of the semi-final match against New Zealand, and they will be optimistic about advancing to the finals this time.