Zaheer Khan lauds Shreyas Iyer's match-winning knock against England
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has praised Shreyas Iyer for his game-changing performance in the first ODI against England in Nagpur.
Despite the early loss of openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma, Iyer's aggressive batting helped India seal the victory.
His 59-run knock off just 36 balls and Shubman Gill's steady 87-run innings was key in reviving India's chase of 257 runs.
Praise
Iyer's confidence set the tone for India's win: Zaheer
In a chat with Cricbuzz, Khan emphasized Iyer's self-belief and aggressive mindset as the main reasons behind India's win.
He said, "You talk about everything in that knock. The counterattack were just a brilliant inning to watch."
He further added, "Someone to walk in like that and with such confidence, is something which worked really well."
Khan further stressed how important this attitude could be for India's plan in the next Champions Trophy 2025.
Comeback
Iyer's redemption journey and Champions Trophy selection
Iyer who was recently dropped from BCCI's central contract for prioritizing personal fitness over domestic cricket, is making a strong comeback.
His consistent performances have secured him a spot in India's 15-member Champions Trophy squad.
This selection follows his impactful innings against England, offering a timely reminder of his potential amid lingering questions about his place in India's ODI lineup.
Performance
Iyer's aggressive batting style in Nagpur ODI
Iyer displayed his aggressive batting by scoring at a strike rate of 163.89, smashing nine boundaries and two sixes against England's bowling attack.
His fearless approach not only helped India recover from an early collapse but also ensured that they successfully chased down the target with four wickets to spare.
This victory marked a strong start to the series and bolstered their preparation for the Champions Trophy.
Stats
A look at Iyer's ODI stats after his impressive knock
Iyer's fifty in the first ODI was his 19th half-century in ODIs. In 63 ODIs, the Indian batter has slammed 2,480 runs at an average of 47.69.
He has an impressive strike rate of 47.69 in the format. His tally also includes five tons.
Notably, Iyer slammed his maiden ODI fifty against England in Nagpur.
Before this innings, he had just 10 runs in two innings against them.