Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Shreyas Iyer after India registered a 44-run win against New Zealand in the last group stage match of the ongoing Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday. The renowned commentator feels Iyer’s performances flies under the radar as he doesn’t receive the appreciation he deserves.
After being put into bat, India found themselves on the mat at 30-3 with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill dismissed cheaply. However, Iyer was able to get his team out of the hole with a 98-run alliance with Axar Patel, who was once again promoted to number five.
Iyer scored back-to-back fifties, scoring 79 runs off 98 balls against the Kiwis with the help of four fours and two sixes. The right-hander had also scored an impressive 56 against Pakistan.
Patel, on the other hand, played a crucial knock of 42 runs. India posted a fighting total of 249 runs on the board after Hardik Pandya scored a run-a-ball 45.
“We will have to stop ‘AakashVani’ if we don’t talk about Shreyas Iyer. The guy is underrated. Very few people are focusing on him or appreciating him enough. However, hear the truth. The ball hit (Shubman) Gill’s pads and he got out. Rohit (Sharma) played a pull shot and got caught,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra hailed Glenn Phillips for his unbelievable catch at point to get rid of Virat Kohli.
“Virat Kohli played a good shot in his 300th match, but what a catch Glenn Phillips took. Are you Superman? How can you people defy gravity? He is ‘glue’ Phillips. The ball sticks in his hand. He was parallel to the ground and the ball had already passed him. Kane (Williamson) also took a similar catch,” he observed.
The renowned commentator added that Iyer passed the short ball barrage against the Kiwis’ fast bowlers even though he was dismissed when he could not control a short-pitched delivery.
“Three guys had gotten out and Axar Patel was promoted. However, Shreyas Iyer stood there. He was tested with bouncers as well. Whether it was Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson or Matt Henry, everyone bowled bouncers to him, but he played,” he said.
Chopra noted that Iyer continued his love affair against the New Zealand bowlers as he has an impressive record against the Blackcaps.
“He has a special liking for New Zealand. There is just one ODI knock where he has scored less than 30 runs against New Zealand. He loves New Zealand. I remember the Hamilton hundred and the century at Wankhede. He has been absolutely brilliant. Here also, he played the knock of the match,” Chopra observed.
India will take on Australia in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Tuesday.
