Shreyas Iyer’s comeback to the Indian cricket team couldn’t have been scripted any better. Not only was he consistent with the bat, but he was also athletic on the field and earned the honour of the coveted Best Fielder medal. He received this recognition after India’s third ODI against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, as vice-captain Shubman Gill awarded him the prize in a joyous dressing room celebration.
Iyer’s contribution in the three-match series against England was conspicuous. He was the second-highest run-getter, scoring 181 runs at an average of 60.33. His capability to score two vital half-centuries under pressure endorsed him as a reliable middle-order batsman. In a setup where India has been looking for solidity in the middle order, Iyer’s performances have strongly argued his case for staying on in the ODI team for a while longer.
His innings added value to India’s scores and showed his capacity to pace innings sensibly, playing anchor and aggressor as the situation demanded. A video uploaded by BCCI’s official social media handle captured the celebratory moment when Iyer was awarded the Best Fielder medal, edging out Shubman Gill and Harshit Rana.
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The Indian team, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, erupted in cheers, showcasing the camaraderie and team spirit that has become a hallmark of this squad. Iyer’s quick reflexes, athletic catches, and enhanced fielding standards further established him as an all-around asset for the team and demonstrated that he is far from being a good batter.
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Added to his set of achievements, Iyer further made history in the record books by becoming the quickest Indian batter to have registered 25 half-centuries or more in ODIs. In doing so, he surpassed none other than Virat Kohli, achieving the feat in just 60 innings—eight innings quicker than Kohli’s record of 68. This milestone underlines his consistency and growing influence in India’s ODI setup.
Despite not being a regular feature in India’s T20I and Test squads, the 30-year-old continues to thrive in the 50-over format, proving himself as one of India’s most reliable limited-overs batters. Though Iyer’s position in India’s T20I and Test combinations is in doubt, his ODI talent is not in question.
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His recent form, along with his fielding acumen, makes him an integral part of India’s strategy for future ICC tournaments. With every match, he cements his position and demonstrates the temperament and skill set to be a long-term Indian middle-order presence.
