India National Cricket Team batter Shreyas Iyer opened up about the talks that were there related to his struggles against short balls. He said that there was a perception that was created but he always knew his strengths as well as his abilities.
The comeback story of India batter Shreyas Iyer has been nothing short of exceptional. After producing a sensational campaign in the ICC World Cup 2023, where he slammed over 500 runs, he faced a massive downfall and had issues with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Shreyas Iyer didn’t feature in domestic cricket due to a back injury, but BCCI mentioned that the batter deliberately didn’t turn out, showing arrogance. Hence, he was terminated from the annual contracts and then was dropped from the Indian team across the formats.
Iyer then returned to domestic cricket and staged a dominating comeback. He shined with the bat for Mumbai in all three formats as he scored consistently and then ended up winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as well as a captain for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Shreyas Iyer was the leading run-getter for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Iyer then made a comeback in the ODIs during the England series, where he initially wasn’t slated to feature in the XI. He displayed magnificent performances in all three games and had yet another brilliant campaign in the ICC event.
Iyer was the leading run-getter for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The batter slammed 243 runs in five games. The right-hander has been brilliant at No 4 for India, as he has an average of around 50 (48.22) after 70 ODIs, which speaks a lot about the impact he has made.
However, despite having such a fabulous record, Shreyas Iyer has been criticized a lot for not playing the short ball well. However, during the England series as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, he looked brilliant against short balls and scored a lot of runs.
The perception was created or maybe I was typecast – Shreyas Iyer
While talking about the critics, Shreyas Iyer said that maybe he was typecast but he always was aware of his abilities and strengths. Speaking to PTI, he said:
“Maybe, the perception was created or maybe I was typecast. But I always knew my strengths, my abilities and (there was also) the belief (that) I had in myself.”
For now, I am living in the moment to fulfill my roles and responsibilities with Punjab Kings – Shreyas Iyer
Iyer was also asked whether he is thinking of getting selected for the England Test series. He said that he is focused on staying present and will be trying to fulfill his roles and responsibilities with Punjab Kings. He added:
“I prefer not to over-think and complicate my current process. For now, I am living in the moment to fulfil my roles and responsibilities with Punjab Kings.”
Iyer has been appointed as the captain of the Punjab Kings. The right-hander will be keen to take his new franchise to title win and carry on his good form.
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