Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra lauded Shreyas Iyer’s fielding and batting after Men in Blue registered a four-wicket win against Australia in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy. Iyer was able to get rid of Alex Carey with a direct hit throw.
Carey was batting brilliantly on 61 before a direct hit at the stumps from Iyer ended his knock. The left-hander could have taken Australia past the 280-run if he had played the last three overs but India was able to get the crucial wicket at the right time.
Iyer also took a catch to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis and he was given the Fielding medal by former head coach Ravi Shastri.
“Iyer is fire. How well he bats. This time even the run-out. The total would have 100 percent gone to 284 instead of 264 without his direct to get Alex Carey run-out because Alex Carey was batting beautifully. He was carrying the team forward. He came slightly out of syllabus as we were scared of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“So the fast flat throw that hit the stumps, I said wow. He also took a catch in the deep. Then when he comes to bat, he is Shreyas Mr Consistent Iyer. Kohli was batting with him, but who was looking more assured – Shreyas Iyer. Who was controlling the game – Shreyas Iyer,” Chopra added.
On the other hand, Iyer scored another crucial knock of 45 runs after India lost two early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. He added an imperative alliance of 91 runs with Virat Kohli for the third wicket.
“He jumped down the track and hit whenever he wanted. He played the sweep shots whenever he wanted. The kind of confidence with which he is playing, looks like he has been outstanding. He is batting differently consistently,” Chopra said.
Iyer has performed consistently in ODIs and he has done a good job for the team while batting at number four.
“His contribution is absolutely immense. It started against England in Nagpur and is continuing. He got out early in one innings against Bangladesh. He was unfortunate not to score a fifty. He got slightly relaxed because Kohli was at the other end,” Chopra observed.
Iyer has scored 376 runs in seven ODI innings in 2025 at an average of 53.71.
India will take on New Zealand in the summit clash of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.
