Former Indian batter turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels that Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten century against South Africa in the second ODI will be helpful in the long run. Shreyas struck an unbeaten 113 off 111 deliveries to help the team register a seven-wicket series-levelling win on Sunday, October 9, in Ranchi.

Backing Shreyas Iyer to extend his purple patch in ODI cricket, Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “India were struggling a bit when Iyer came into bat. Iyer is batting well and the way he is batting is also interesting to see. This hundred will hold him in great stead. Firstly, he is a reserve for the World Cup, so there will be an in-form player waiting should anything go wrong. Secondly, the 2023 ODI World Cup is also coming. He could fill the No. 5 slot, he is capable of that.”

Shreyas Iyer has done well in ODI cricket since making his debut in 2017. He currently averages 47.07 after playing 32 matches.

“India would have been in trouble had they bowled second. They only had three seamers and the wet ball would not have turned much. South Africa would have easily chased down 280,” he stated again.

While talking about how South Africa should have considered the prospect of dew while making the decision to bat first, Chopra revealed on his YouTube channel: “India always tends to win these must-win encounters. I did not expect India to play with one batter less. Keshav Maharaj’s decision to bat first backfired.”

“It was an ordinary decision because there was anticipation that dew will set in under the lights. The sun sets a little early in the east and there was no cloud cover as well. South Africa, interestingly, did not bowl too many bouncers to Shreyas Iyer. They hesitated bowling those short-pitched deliveries to him. They have the speed to do that. In my opinion, the bowlers should have bowled bouncers to Iyer and Kishan early on in their partnership,” Aakash Chopra concluded.