Shreyas Iyer scored 82 in India's 302-run win over Sri Lanka.
Sunil Gavaskar lauded middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer for playing fearlessly against Sri Lanka despite some questions being asked about his place in Indian team in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
There were concerns about Iyer’s form in the tournament, but the Mumbaikar put all of them to rest with his stunning knock of 82 runs off 56 balls during Team India’s 302-run win over Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Well, Iyer didn't really seem to be concerned about his place in Team India during their last game against Sri Lanka, and Gavaskar was highly impressed with the intent and mindset of the batter.
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Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “I think Nasser mentioned that earlier that he wasn't playing for his place in the team. He was looking to get the scoreboard ticking, he was looking to play the big shots. So, he really wasn't concerned about himself, you know?”
He added, “Yes, there were question marks about his place in the team, but he just put them to rest because kind of number he bats at. He will get to 80 quickly.”
However, Gavaskar suggested Iyer to be very careful about his shot selection, especially against the short-pitched deliveries. The former Indian captain noted, “He just needs to at maybe, at some stage at the start. Maybe just be a little careful about his short selection.”
Gavaskar added, “Otherwise, you know that's the reason why he's at number four and not Rahul. Rahul is at five. Because Rahul, in case you lose two or three wickets, you have somebody who's opened the batting to handle the new ball. But here I think today, you know, he set to rest all doubts about his batting.”
Meanwhile, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull also lauded Iyer and said that the right-hander has amazing clarity over his role in the team and is comfortable doing what the team needs from him.
Doull said, “Shreyas Iyer has amazing clarity over his role. You are going to get some performances that are high and you are going to get some low ones.”
He signed off by saying, “Iyer plays the high-risk shots, plays high-risk cricket because he wants to score at a high strike-rate, and I think that he is quite comfortable playing that role.”
(With PTI/IANS Inputs)