In a recent match against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer achieved a significant milestone in his career. Amidst challenging conditions, with teammate Shubman Gill retiring hurt at 79 during the semi-final of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, Iyer stepped up to deliver a spectacular performance. He scored a remarkable 105 runs. He scored 526 runs in 10 innings in 67 Balls.
Iyer not only scored his second consecutive century in the World Cup but also marked his century as the third-fastest by an Indian in the history of the competition. This feat surpasses the records set by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, who had previously scored centuries in 62 and 63 deliveries, respectively, against the Netherlands and Afghanistan.
Facing the formidable pace of Kiwi bowler Lockie Ferguson, Iyer initially appeared slightly uneasy. However, he quickly adapted, skillfully maneuvering the ball and maintaining a steady strike rotation. His prowess was particularly evident against New Zealand’s spin bowling trio of Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips. Iyer showed a special preference for Ravindra, hitting him for several maximums on his way to the century.
Iyer’s century, comprising three boundaries and eight maximums, played a crucial role in ensuring that India’s scoring rate remained unaffected throughout his innings. With this achievement, Iyer joins the elite club of Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid (1999) and Rohit Sharma (2019), who have previously scored consecutive centuries in the ODI World Cup.
This performance is especially redemptive for Iyer, whose place in the team was under scrutiny following an erratic dismissal against England in Lucknow last month. His back-to-back centuries in the World Cup not only underscore his batting talent but also reinforce his crucial role in the Indian cricket team.