Shreyas Iyer’s outstanding performance in the No.4 role has been a game-changer for India. Overcoming a shaky start to the tournament, he has scored 526 runs at an impressive average of 76.11. His coach, Pravin Amre, emphasizes the significance of a settled No.4 and praises Iyer for his consistency and ability to contribute to the team.
In the high-stakes clash against Australia in the World Cup final, India’s secret weapon lies in the formidable form of Shreyas Iyer at the crucial No.4 position. Unlike the 2019 edition where the No.4 slot became a headache for India, Iyer’s consistent and explosive batting has transformed this weakness into a major strength.
The struggle to find a reliable No.4 plagued India in the previous World Cup, with a series of experiments that turned into a game of musical chairs. From KL Rahul to Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, and Rishabh Pant, none could firmly establish themselves in that position. However, the current World Cup tells a different story, with Shreyas Iyer emerging as the solution to India’s longstanding No.4 conundrum.
With a settled top order, led by Rohit Sharma’s century spree, the weak link was often hidden during the round-robin stage. Yet, in the semifinals against New Zealand, the over-reliance on the top-order became evident as they crumbled after the dismissals of Rohit, Rahul, and Kohli, leaving India in a precarious position at 92/6.
Shreyas Iyer Performance: world cup
Shreyas Iyer’s outstanding performance in the No.4 role has been a game-changer for India. Overcoming a shaky start to the tournament, he has scored 526 runs at an impressive average of 76.11. His coach, Pravin Amre, emphasizes the significance of a settled No.4 and praises Iyer for his consistency and ability to contribute to the team.
Batting in the middle-order in ODIs demands a different skill set, especially in maintaining scoring momentum when the ball has softened. Shreyas Iyer’s advantage lies in his big-hitting ability, evident in his strike rate of 113.11, supported by 24 sixes, the second-highest in the competition.
Amre sheds light on Iyer’s prowess against spinners, attributing it to his bat speed, height, and reach, allowing him to stand and deliver without always stepping out. His ability to go over mid-off adds to his confidence against spinners, making him a valuable asset for India in the final.
In the last four innings, Iyer has addressed his vulnerability against short balls, scoring 82, 77, 128*, and 105. This improvement sets him apart from other No.4 batsmen in the tournament, such as Aiden Markram, Mohammad Rizwan, Ben Stokes, and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
As India gears up to face Australia in the final, Iyer’s performance against spinners becomes crucial. With Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head in Australia’s bowling arsenal, Iyer’s ability to dominate spin could provide India with a decisive edge.
However, before spinners come into play, Iyer will have to tackle the short ball, especially against the tall and formidable Australian pacers. Amre acknowledges the challenge but believes in Iyer’s ability to find a way to tackle bouncers successfully.
In the league game against Australia earlier in the tournament, Iyer faced a setback by getting out for zero. The final presents the perfect stage for him to make amends and prove that he is not just a reliable No.4 but a game-changer for India.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the epic clash between India and Australia, all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer to see if he can replicate his stellar performances and lead India to World Cup glory. Can he conquer the spinners and tackle the short ball, emerging as the hero India needs in the final showdown? The answer lies in the hands of this dynamic No.4 batsman, ready to rewrite history on the grandest stage of them all!
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