Shreyas Iyer made a resounding comeback to the Indian squad with a blistering 36-ball 59 in the first ODI against England, reaffirming his credentials as a middle-order mainstay. Walking in at No. 4 after the early dismissals of the openers, Iyer took the attack to England’s bowlers, combining flair with controlled aggression. Batting alongside Shubman Gill, he played a vital role in stabilizing the innings and shifting momentum in India’s favour.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was vocal in his praise for Iyer, expressing surprise that a batter of his calibre hasn’t been a consistent presence in India’s lineup, especially after his impressive 530-run campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Ponting also lauded Iyer’s domestic performances, which have strengthened his case for a national recall.
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“I’ve been a little bit surprised that he’s been out of India’s side the last couple of years,” Ricky Ponting said on The ICC Review. “He had a terrific World Cup back in India, where he played beautifully in the middle order, and I actually felt then that he’d almost cemented that spot. Then, he had those injuries, especially with his back, which kept him out. But his domestic season this year has been brilliant. Ever since the IPL auction, his performances in domestic cricket have been outstanding.”
Ponting, who coached Delhi Capitals when Iyer was a key part of the franchise, also spoke about the batter’s ability against spin, especially in sub-continental conditions.
“He’s got a game perfectly suited for white-ball cricket, especially on the slower, lower wickets in that part of the world. We know how well he plays spin, and while teams tend to avoid bowling too much spin at India, it’s inevitable at some stage. If Shreyas is at the crease, he’s as good as anyone at countering it. I’m delighted to see him back in the team,” Ricky Ponting added.
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Iyer’s return to India’s 50-over setup comes on the back of stellar performances in domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His resurgence has also earned him a spot in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, where his ability to anchor and accelerate the innings could prove invaluable.
