Former India player Mohammad Kaif has applauded Shreyas Iyer for playing ‘impactful’ knocks in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He also added that although the middle-order batter did not get a Player of the Match award in the tournament, he did well throughout. However, India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. Shreyas scored a 62-ball 48 to help India win as well.
During an interaction on Star Sports, Kaif said, “I was surprised by his form. He neither plays Tests, nor is he in the T20I squad. He plays only ODIs for India. So you are not there in the team continuously. You have to straightaway play for India after playing in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, and in a zone where you have to attack, hit boundaries, and play your natural game.”
“I admire this batter because many players came and went at the No. 4 position. We weren’t getting players for the No. 4 position. This guy came and made his place, and plays impactful knocks. He is this tournament’s second-highest run-getter, but he didn’t get a single Man of the Match,” the former India batter further added.
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Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif also stated that Shreyas Iyer tempered his game in India’s four-wicket 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final win against Australia as well.
“He is never in focus. He might not have got a Man of the Match trophy, but I believe he gives massive contributions at No. 4. He manages the innings when there is a spin challenge. He takes the game forward. He even played slow against Australia during his partnership with Virat Kohli,” he said.
“He concentrated on singles, took the game deep, and won the match in the end. So he knows how to adjust his game. He is a naturally aggressive player but slowed himself in that match because (Shubman) Gill and Rohit (Sharma) had gotten out. So he has become an intelligent batter now. He has emerged as a mature batter,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.
