India batter Shreyas Iyer capped off a stellar run in ODI cricket over the past two months, turning uncertainty into triumph. Despite initial doubts over his role, the 30-year-old emerged as India’s leading run-scorer in their victorious Champions Trophy campaign, delivering a fitting response to his critics.
Iyer’s struggle against short-pitched bowling has been well-documented, with opposition teams frequently targeting this weakness. New Zealand attempted the same strategy during their group-stage encounter in the Champions Trophy, but the Indian star was more than prepared. He countered the challenge with a match-winning 79-run knock, proving his adaptability and resilience.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Iyer expressed no regrets over missing out on a century, emphasizing that contributing to the team’s success was far more satisfying.
“Very, very satisfying. Maybe I could have got a century, but no regrets. In fact, it was sweeter because I got the team to a decent total, and we were able to win by 44 runs,” he said.
‘No Need to Prove Anything to Anyone’
When asked if his growing confidence against short-pitched deliveries stemmed from the two sixes he smashed off Jofra Archer in the home ODI series against England, Iyer pointed to his extensive domestic season as the real game-changer.
“In terms of confidence, yes. But if you look at my domestic season, I played so many matches this year and hit sixes off difficult deliveries. That gave me a lot of belief. Technically, I adjusted to a wide stance, creating a strong base that helped me generate more power. I was able to replicate that in the England series and beyond,” he explained.
So, does this performance silence his critics? Iyer made it clear that he no longer needs to address them—his performances speak for themselves.
“I don’t have to send any message to anyone. All I have to do is believe in myself and play the best cricket possible. The message automatically gets delivered.”
‘Success is a Result of Hard Work’
Iyer also credited his transformation to the relentless effort he put in behind the scenes, acknowledging the key figures who helped him refine his game.
“The hard work you put in is what truly tests you as an athlete and an individual. A lot of people have helped me during this process—Amre sir, Abhishek Nayar, my trainer Sagar, and my nutritionist Nicole Kedia,” he added.
With a renewed mindset and confidence in his abilities, Iyer has not only cemented his place in the Indian team but also made it clear that he thrives under pressure.
