Shreyas Iyer feels he has sealed India’s number four position

 

India’s prodigy batsman Shreyas Iyer is confident that he has sealed India’s number four slot in the limited-overs format. The team has been found wanting for a number four batsman and the Mumbai batsman was finally able to put paid to India’s woes. In fact, the Virat Kohli’s team went with an undecided number four into the World Cup and it had cost them big in the semi-final against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has ticked the right boxes since he was given his opportunities after the World Cup. Iyer has been able to make hay when the sun shined as he has grabbed his chances with both hands.

In fact, the right-hander made his ODI debut back in 2017 against Sri Lanka but he didn’t have an ideal start to his International career as he scored nine runs. However, Iyer bounced back in the series and scored 162 runs in three innings at an average of 54 and scored two fifties but surprisingly he was not backed.

The right-hander has thus far scored 748 runs in 18 ODI matches at an impressive average of 49.87 with the help of eight fifties and one hundred. Ergo, he has done justice to his role in the side and has cemented his place.

“If you have been playing for India at that position for a year now that means you have sealed it. There should be no more questions asked about it,” Iyer said in an Instagram chat hosted by his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.

“When the debate was going on about No 4, performing at No 4 and completely sealing the position was really satisfying.”

However, Iyer also understands the dynamics of the team’s combination and he is open to bat anywhere in the batting order to help his team succeed. It is imperative to be flexible in the current era according to the match situations and the conditions.

“But when you are playing for India, you need to be very much flexible at any position or whatever the team requires. I feel I can bat any position depending on the situation,” he said.

On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer has scored 417 runs in 21 T20I matches at an average of 27.8. The right-hander has had a great start to his ODI career and he would like to continue his good show going.

The 25-year old has also impressed while playing in the domestic circuit as he has a first-class average of 52.18 and List A average of 44.52.

Moreover, Iyer has grown in confidence after leading Delhi Capitals in the IPL. The franchise made their way to playoff stages after six years under the leadership of Iyer in IPL 2019.