Shreyas Iyer: A potential long term solution to India’s middle order crisis
India’s number four bating position has been a matter of concern for quite some time now. However, it seems like India have found a long-term solution to it. In the ongoing India-West Indies ODI series, one batsman has started taking the responsibility which comes along with batting at that position. He is none other than Shreyas Iyer. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that Shreyas is fit for the number four slot. He has played six innings for India and hit three half centuries. On Sunday too, he hit a much needed 71 runs to help India win. Iyer better than Pant at number four 24-year-old right-handed Shreyas Iyer has impressed Sunil Gavaskar with his batting. He was of the opinion that if India get off to a good start with the help of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, then Pant can come and unleash his big shots but if India are in a spot of bother, Shreyas Iyer can come to rescue of the Indian team. Notably, at Port of Spain against West Indies, Iyer had rescued India along with VIrat Kohli by stitching a 125-run stand with the captain.
Although the first match of the three-match ODI series was washed out, in the second match, Iyer made the most of the opportunity that was given to him and ensured that he is given a longer run. It helped that he had run machine Virat Kohli on the other end. But kudos to Iyer who held his nerves and performed for India in his comeback innings. Thus, we may see Iyer getting a longer run now. Prior to this, Iyer had two fifties in five matches and it was a surprise that he was not considered for the number four slot prior for the World Cup. But looking ahead, Iyer seems to be a good middle-order option.