Shreyas Iyer has been subjected to the most stringent scrutiny in his cricket career. Maybe, he needed to prove a few points to the critics as well as to boost his own ego, something so important for a batter. On Wednesday, Shreyas was in high-octane mode as he slammed his second century of this World Cup.
Cricket has always been massively stats-driven, and data analysts have also come into play in a big way in recent years. For a batter like Shreyas, playing his maiden World Cup, the baptism has been a hard one. At the start of this campaign, he was criticised as a bunny against the short-pitched stuff. Experts and laypersons alike were brutal while giving their take on Shreyas, so much so that there was a tetchy response at a press conference.
But criticism acted like a tonic and his turnaround has been phenomenal. On the eve of the final against Australia, Shreyas, who has now made the pivotal No.4 slot his own, scored 526 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 113.11. Comparisons are being made with Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharuddin and Dilip Vengsarkar, illustrious batters who once batted in that position. In statistical terms, Shreyas stands tall – the most runs at No.4 for India in World Cup history – but any comparison with such gems should be put on hold.
Where does one start with the journey of Shreyas, now 28? He is the quintessential Mumbaikar and knew the exact geometry he had to create in his shot-making at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. His stroke production was awesome, and the grammar of his batting shone against pace and spin. Maybe, Kane Williamson thought he could intimidate Shreyas. It was in vain as he handled the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee with aplomb. And once the spinners came into action, Shreyas was confidence personified against Rachin Ravindra.
Back-to-back centuries are a measure of comfort and confidence. How it came about is a story which has been built brick by brick. After all, for a man who has flirted with injuries more than a romantic would have with “dates”, Shreyas needed to break the cycle. He was getting starts and not carrying on. What was needed was freedom of expression with the bat and building on such platforms. That is what one has seen over the last two matches.
Back in September, when Shreyas and KL Rahul were in rehab at the NCA in Bengaluru, there were doubts that his musculoskeletal system could withstand the hectic World Cup schedule. Perhaps, when he started whacking the white ball in practice matches there, it became clear that he would be ready when it mattered. His explosive batting at No.4 has been key, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill having developed a clear template of going for broke in the first power play.
Seizing the moment is not just a cliché. Shreyas has worked hard for it. Not long ago, people saw leadership capability in him. Yet, those damn injuries plagued him across seasons when he was meant to lead the Delhi Capitals. Injuries hit him hard, and Rishabh Pant grabbed the chance.
Shreyas moved east and had a dalliance with Kolkata Knight Riders. Sadly, he missed the 2023 IPL season and the ICC Test Championship final. His bursts in the last five weeks are a clear sign of his importance to Indian cricket, across formats. At a time when Virat Kohli is going bang-bang at 35, Shreyas still has age on his side. He could even be in a tussle with the youngsters and force the selectors to give him a prominent role at the T20 World Cup next year.
For those who have followed his career, he has earned this good fortune. Sympathy and empathy have receded into the background as he has shown his mettle while passing his agni pariksha [trial by fire]. The Shreyas of today is solid and confident. A real asset to the side. Maybe, it is time to junk those YouTube videos that show him in poor light. He has helped India light up this World Cup. One more test remains.