WI vs IND 2022: Runs were required from his blade – Reetinder Sodhi lauds Shreyas Iyer’s performances in the ODI series

Former Indian all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi lauded Shreyas Iyer’s performances in the ODI series against West Indies, which India convincingly won by 3-0. Sodhi believes runs were required from Iyer’s blade as he was going through a rough patch.

The right-hander was tested with short stuff by the England bowlers and he had failed to get going in the tough English conditions. However, the Mumbai batter was able to turn the tables against the Windies.

Iyer scored 161 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 53.67 and a strike rate of 99.38. The right-hander scored two fifties in the series and batted with aplomb. The 27-year-old returned with scores of 54 and 63 in the first two ODIs while he scored 44 off just 34 balls in the third game.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill was also able to grab his opportunity as the youngster scored 205 runs in three matches and bagged the Player of the Series award.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi said while talking to India News, “Runs were required from his blade because plenty of people were saying that he has a lot of talent but the runs were not coming. But Shreyas Iyer has also, like Shubman Gill, grabbed this series with both hands.”

Former Punjab cricketer reckons Iyer will play for a long time as he has the right technique.

“So well done Shreyas Iyer, because the technique he possesses, I feel he has a lot of cricket to play for India going ahead.”

On the other hand, former wicket-keeper batter Saba Karim believes these runs will do a world of good for Shreyas Iyer as he was struggling against the short ball in .

“In the end, scoring runs is extremely necessary. The situation in which Shreyas was in England, he has emerged from that, he has put in the hard yards. I agree that he will face a lot of challenges going ahead.”

“He will be targeted like that when he plays against top-quality pace-bowling attacks. It also depends on the conditions but the good thing about Shreyas here is that he has at least put in the effort and has kept at bay that shortcoming to a certain extent. So it has been a fantastic comeback by Shreyas Iyer in a way.”

Iyer will look to continue his good form in the upcoming five-match T20I series against the West Indies.