Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has lauded Shreyas Iyer’s consistent performances in the ODI format. Iyer scored 129 runs in two ODI innings against New Zealand and finished as India’s highest run-getter in the series.
Iyer scored a fine knock of 80 runs in the first ODI and played a key role in helping India post 306 runs on the board. Subsequently, he scored another fine knock of 49 runs in the third ODI at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Wednesday.
Iyer has been performing consistently in the ODI format and his records speak for himself. The right-hander has scored 1428 runs in 36 ODI matches at an average of 49.24 and a strike rate of 98.21.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Aakash Chopra said, “The biggest learning in my opinion was Shreyas Iyer in ODI cricket, he is a different beast. Honestly speaking, I feel we all need to understand that all formats are different.
“So don’t measure all formats in the same way, every player is different and Shreyas Iyer in ODI cricket is a dynamite.”
Meanwhile, it has been noticed that Iyer gets a bit uncomfortable when the bowlers bowl short to him and he will need to work on his weakness.
“You feel that he gets slightly stuck when you do short-pitched bowling against him or if the ball is moving a lot, his playing style is like that, he looks a little loose, although he has a century on debut in Tests.”
Chopra added that Iyer overcomes his weakness against short-pitched bowling in the 50-overs version of the game.
“Which guy can be so consistent in ODI cricket or any form of cricket if we talk about New Zealand? This guy is consistent. If we keep the T20Is aside, in ODI cricket he is just sensational.
“He consistently scores runs, gets troubled by the short ball but he manages it in ODIs. We have seen him get stuck many times in T20 cricket.”
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will return for Bangladesh ODIs and he will bat at number three. However, Chopra wants Iyer to get the backing in the final XI as he has been performing consistently.
“When the main team players return and Shreyas Iyer is very lucky that he is going to Bangladesh as well, I am not saying make him bat at No. 3 because that is Kohli’s number, but make a place for him for sure.”
