Shreyas Iyer's resilience could boost India's Champions Trophy prospects
What's the story
Shreyas Iyer, a linchpin of the Indian cricket team, has shown incredible resilience after suffering a debilitating shoulder injury.
The batter is now gearing up for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which gets underway on February 19.
Iyer will have the onus to ace the number-four position in the competition.
The dasher, who will feature in his maiden CT, recently made a successful comeback to Indian team.
Career trajectory
Iyer's career: A journey of ups and downs
Iyer's career has been eventful, including a successful 2023 World Cup campaign.
However, he suffered a setback when he lost his central contract last year after not playing a single Ranji Trophy match.
Despite the challenges and recurring injuries, Iyer's determination never wavered.
He managed to find his place in the national team again with impressive domestic performances.
Statistics
Impressive recent record
Iyer scored consistently in domestic white-ball tournaments to earn a recall to the national team.
With 345 runs at a strike rate of 188.52, he was the fourth-highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2024-25.
Talking about his numbers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, India's premier List A tournament, he made 325 runs across five innings while being dismissed just once. Moreover, his strike rate was a stunning 131.57.
WC
Stellar run in the 2023 WC
Iyer has shown his mettle as a reliable white-ball batter before injuries kept him out.
He was also key to India's successful World Cup campaign in 2023, scoring 530 runs at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24.
Notably, these are the most runs by any Indian no. 4 batter in a single ODI World Cup edition, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Comeback series
Brilliant show vs England
Iyer was instrumental to India's 3-0 triumph in the recent ODI series against England.
He recorded scores worth 59, 44, and 78 as his strike rate in the series was a stunning 123.13.
Notably, Iyer had revealed that he only got to play the series opener as Virat Kohli was out injured.
He grabbed the chance with both hands and hence was not dropped even after Kohli's return.
Career
45-plus average, 100-plus strike rate in ODIs
The 78 in the final game against England was Iyer's 20th half-century in ODI cricket.
He also has five tons to his name. In 65 ODIs, the Indian batter has crossed the 2,600-run mark.
The dasher has an average of 48.18 in the format.
In a career spanning over eight years, Iyer has scored 2,602 runs with a strike-rate of 102.48.