Shreyas Iyer, the middle-order batter for Team India, reflected on his standout performance from the 2023 ODI World Cup ahead of India’s return to the format. Iyer, who has been selected for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy, singled out his half-century against Sri Lanka in the league stage at Wankhede Stadium as his favorite knock from the tournament.
Iyer’s blistering innings came at a strike rate of 146.63, where he hit six sixes and played a pivotal role in guiding India to a formidable total of 357/8. In response, Sri Lanka could only muster a dismal 55 runs, handing India a dominant 302-run victory and extending their unbeaten run in the competition.
“My innings of 82 against Sri Lanka was important because there had been a lot of speculation about me being dropped from the squad, with many questioning my contributions to the team. Despite scoring a 50 against Pakistan, the criticism put me in a difficult position. Iyer mentioned during the Idea Exchange (via The Indian Express), ‘That kind of talk really sparked something within me and fueled my instincts.
While Iyer had a tough start to the World Cup, with a duck off three balls against Australia, he made an impressive comeback by scoring two fifties and two centuries in the final four matches of the league stage. He finished the tournament with 530 runs at an average of 66.25.
Iyer also acknowledged that external criticism can sometimes be “irritating,” but he has learned to handle it over time.
“It can be frustrating, especially when the criticism comes from people who have never faced a 150 km per hour delivery, yet they feel entitled to tell you how to play. But at the end of the day, it’s their opinion. They have every right to share it, but it should stay among themselves, not directed at the player,” Iyer added.
“The most challenging period for me was dealing with my back injury. When I had to undergo surgery, I honestly believed it would completely alter my physical condition. It was tough to get back to the same level of fitness and agility I had before the surgery. However, after a year of recovery, I now feel much more comfortable and stronger, and I’m confident I can perform at the level I intended to before the injury.”
Iyer made a successful return in the 2023 Asia Cup and went on to have a highly productive run thereafter.
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