Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai
Earlier this month in Nagpur, when Shreyas Iyer walked in to bat, the weight on his shoulders was more than just the match situation. India had lost both openers early in a tricky run chase, Virat Kohli was absent, and the opposition was circling like vultures. But beyond all that, there was an unspoken pressure—one that comes with fighting for a place that was never meant to be yours, at least not in that moment. Iyer was only in the XI because of an unexpected opening, a sudden chance created by Kohli’s absence due to knee swelling. He knew that. And England knew how to test him.
Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Brydon Carse—the English pace trio wasted no time in launching the short-ball barrage, a familiar challenge, a familiar weakness. But this time, Iyer had come prepared. He stood tall, rode the bounce, and took them on. The innings that followed was not just about runs; it was a statement, a testament to the hours of toil and silent reinvention during his time away from the team. Making a comeback is never easy, but with Iyer, it has always been about confidence. He believes in his method, and in 50-over cricket, that belief has rarely failed him.
By the time the Champions Trophy arrived, Iyer had once again made the No. 4 spot his own. His form in the England series left the team management with little choice but to back him. Yet, the tournament began with a misstep—a modest 15 against Bangladesh. But in true Iyer fashion, he ensured that how he finished mattered more than how he started. By the end of it all, he was India’s top run-getter, a quiet architect of their success.
No centuries, no flamboyant milestones, just innings of immense value. When India found themselves at 30 for 3 against New Zealand in the final group stage match, it was Iyer who anchored the ship, crafting a composed 79. Then, in the semi-final against Australia, he stitched together a defining 91-run stand with Virat Kohli—a partnership that breathed life into a faltering chase. The weight of those innings was felt in every calculated shot, every moment he absorbed pressure.
And then, in the high-pressure final, he was there again. After a blistering 100-run opening stand, India wavered in the middle overs. Once again, it was Iyer who stepped in, steadying the innings and ensuring the script did not slip away. He was not the protagonist in the way Kohli or Rohit Sharma might be, but he was the one who ensured the story had a happy ending.
Across five matches, Iyer amassed 243 runs at an average of 48.60, finishing as the second-highest run-getter of the tournament. His knocks were not loud, not laced with grand flourishes, but they were the foundation on which India built their success.
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Throughout the tournament, the headlines were dominated by the heavyweights, but Iyer was the silent architect behind India’s triumph—stitching together crucial innings, absorbing pressure, and delivering when it mattered the most. His performance did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
“Not to forget the silent hero, Shreyas Iyer. Throughout the tournament, he was brilliant,” noted Rohit Sharma in the press conference after the final. “He was very, very important in that middle phase for us. He stitched partnerships with all the batters who batted with him. That semi-final against Australia, his stand with Virat was very, very crucial. And even against Pakistan and New Zealand in the league games, he played an important role. Even today, to be honest, when I got out, we had lost three wickets. At that time, we needed a partnership of 50 to 70 runs, which he and KL Rahul provided.”
Batting at number four—a position that has long troubled India in ICC tournaments—Iyer has provided stability, ensuring that collapses remain a rarity. Whether coming in after a fiery start or steadying the ship after early wickets, he has adapted seamlessly.
If there’s one quality that defines Iyer, it is his temperament. Pressure situations have often brought out the best in him. Unlike the flamboyant finishers or the aggressive top order, Iyer’s role is about soaking up the tension, assessing the conditions, and delivering calculated counterattacks.
What makes Iyer’s contribution even more commendable is his journey leading up to this campaign. Having battled injuries and questions about his ability against high-quality short-pitched bowling, he has worked tirelessly to evolve his game. His backfoot play has improved significantly, and his willingness to take on the bowlers without hesitation was a revelation in the tournament.
In the 2023 World Cup, he was one of India’s most consistent and impactful batters. Two years later, in 2025, he leads the team’s run charts. At this rate, Iyer might just carve his name as India’s finest number 4.
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