Shreyas Iyer's rollercoaster ride with the Indian cricket team has drawn both intrigue and bewilderment, particularly following his remarkable performance against England recently. Iyer, who stepped up to the plate at the first ODI held in Nagpur, managed to score 59 runs off merely 36 balls, showcasing his ability to stabilize the innings after the early loss of both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma. Yet, he nearly did not play at all. Iyer revealed he originally wasn’t selected for the match, only stepping in after Virat Kohli was ruled out due to injury.
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and current coach of the Punjab Kings, has voiced his surprise at Iyer’s inconsistent presence within the Indian lineup. Speaking on ICC Review, Ponting reflected, “I’ve been a little bit surprised he’s been out of India’s side for the last couple of years. He had a terrific World Cup back in India (2023) where he played beautifully and made the No. 4 spot his own.” The high-scoring run Iyer had during the World Cup, accumulating 530 runs and finishing as India’s seventh-highest scorer, only added to Ponting’s astonishment.
Despite the accolades, Iyer had faced setbacks, particularly due to injuries. After making strides to recover, his recent form has been nothing short of impressive, as evidenced by his two centuries during the Vijay Hazare Trophy and stellar contributions to his IPL team. “His domestic season has been brilliant,” Ponting mentioned, underscoring Iyer's resilience and hard work following his back injury, which had previously sidelined him.
When the announcement of the playing XI was made, many were surprised to see Iyer omitted. The decision to debut Jaiswal initially forced Iyer to take up the middle order, pushing Shubman Gill to the No. 3 position, typically reserved for Kohli. It remains unclear if the team had intended to shift Kohli to fourth if he remained unfit for the game.
Following his match-winning performance, Iyer shared insights about the unfortunate timing of his call-up. “I was watching a movie,” he laughed, candidly recounting how late he received the news from the Indian skipper. This kind of humorous humility is often seen with athletes who rise to the occasion, and Iyer certainly fits the bill. “So we didn’t know until the last minute,” he confirmed.
With the Champions Trophy looming, Ponting remains confident Iyer's skill set will excel on slower, low wickets, particularly across the subcontinent, where spinners are pivotal. “He’s got the game to stand up to white-ball formats, especially on those wickets,” Ponting emphasized, asserting Iyer's potential to thrive under pressure.
Among the cricketing community, Iyer's previous absence has stirred discussions. Many former players have echoed Ponting’s sentiments, expressing confusion over how Iyer's performance warranted exclusion from the squad. His historical consistency and skill make his initial omission even more perplexing.
An important factor to note is how Iyer's playing style contrasts with the nature of competition aimed at national calls. With the likes of Kohli, Jaiswal, and Gill vying for spots, keeping Iyer as no more than just one of many options seems unreasonable based on his recent form. Ponting, having seen Iyer at close quarters during their collaboration at the Delhi Capitals and now Punjab Kings, is certainly excited to have him at the helm. “If Shreyas is out in the middle, then he’s as good as anyone. I’m delighted to see him back on their team,” Ponting remarked.
Challenges remain for Iyer as the team gears up for the upcoming tournaments, but his talent continues to forge his path. His recent performances send strong messages, potentially curbing the critics who questioned his spot on the team. And with the support from seasoned players like Ponting, his fight to reclaim and secure his place seems promising.
His story serves as both caution and inspiration for budding cricketers, showcasing the unpredictable nature of sports, where performance does not always guarantee selection. The cricketing world has set its eyes on Iyer now, eager to see how he capitalizes on this opportunity when it matters most.