Shreyas Iyer, who played a pivotal role in solving India’s long-standing No.4 batting issue during the ODI World Cup 2023, has made a big statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad announcement. The Mumbai batter, known for his consistency in the middle order, has expressed his readiness to adapt to any position in the batting lineup.
“I’m flexible and ready to bat anywhere in the batting order,” Iyer told ESPNCricinfo in a recent interview.
Shreyas Iyer’s Stellar World Cup Performance
In the ODI World Cup 2023, Iyer had a stellar campaign, scoring 530 runs from 11 innings at an impressive average of 66.25. His performances included two centuries and three fifties, with a strike rate of 113.24.
However, following Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach, Iyer’s position in the batting order was shuffled during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. This was done to accommodate a right-left combination. The experiment didn’t work out well for Iyer, but the batter remains undeterred.
When asked about his role alongside KL Rahul, Iyer recalled their crucial contributions in the middle order during the World Cup.
“KL and I, we played that important role in the middle during the World Cup. We had a great season together. It was just the last bit [the final] that we couldn’t execute the way we wanted to,” Iyer said.
He also expressed his aspirations to be part of the Champions Trophy squad.
“It will be a proud moment for me if I were to be picked in the Champions Trophy [side] to represent the country,” Iyer added.
Also Read: The Champions Trophy selection wasn’t in my control: Litton Das after smashing hundred in BPL
In Red-Hot Form in Domestic Cricket
Iyer has been in exceptional form in domestic cricket. During the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, he amassed 325 runs from five innings at an astounding average of 325, having been dismissed only once. His campaign included two centuries, and he maintained an impressive strike rate of 131.57.
Since the ODI World Cup 2023, Iyer has played four ODIs, scoring 90 runs with one half-century. During the Sri Lanka series, he batted at No.5 in the first and third ODIs, while in the second ODI, he was pushed down to No.6.
Iyer’s numbers at No.4 speak volumes about his reliability in that position. He has scored 1,397 runs from 33 innings at an average of 51.74, with four centuries and eight fifties. At No.3, he has also been consistent, averaging over 50. However, his numbers dip when he bats at No.5, where he has scored 323 runs from 11 innings at an average of 29.36.
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