Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Shreyas Iyer for playing an important knock in the Indian team’s 2025 Champions Trophy match against New Zealand. He added that the middle-order batter doesn’t get the appreciation he deserves as well. However, Shreyas scored 79 runs off 98 balls as India set New Zealand a 250-run target in the final group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, March 2 as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “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. 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.”

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In the same video, Aakash Chopra also stated that Shreyas Iyer passed the short-ball examination in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand as well.

“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 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,” Aakash Chopra concluded.