Shreyas Iyer has recently been appointed India’s ODI vice-captain. The Indian batter faced a challenging 2024. After an impressive ICC Cricket World Cup, he struggled with a back injury and lost his BCCI contract due to non-compliance with board directives. Consequently, he missed opportunities in India’s ODI, Test, and T20I squads.
However, Shreyas Iyer made a remarkable comeback during the England series, scoring 181 runs in three ODIs, including two fifties, with an average above 60 and a strike rate exceeding 123. He continued his strong form in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, finishing as India’s top scorer with 243 runs and helping the team lift the trophy.
His success wasn’t limited to international cricket. In the Indian Premier League, Shreyas Iyer led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title and guided Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final as captain.
On October 7, Shreyas Iyer was recognized for his Champions Trophy performance at the CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards in Mumbai.
Reflecting on his journey, Shreyas Iyer said, “It was a rollercoaster. Things looked chaotic initially, but I focused on setting a routine, disciplining myself, and performing in domestic cricket. Playing the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy helped me regain momentum and confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy. I was also fortunate to stamp my authority in the ODIs against England.”
Speaking about his approach in ODIs, Shreyas Iyer added, “During the CT, I started by playing ball-to-ball, then gradually put myself under pressure to attack the bowlers. In Dubai, we believed a total of 250-300 was achievable. My job was to guide the team there, and after that, trust our bowlers and our ability to chase if needed.”
Recently, Shreyas Iyer stepped away from red-ball cricket after his back issues resurfaced following the first four-day match against Australia A. He remains available for white-ball formats and has now been promoted to India’s ODI vice-captaincy for the upcoming Australia series.
“I had to challenge myself” – Shreyas Iyer on overcoming his short-ball struggles
“Over the past two years, there were talks suggesting I couldn’t play certain shots. When I returned, I was determined to prove them wrong. I focused on improving myself, taking on the bowlers, and putting myself in high-pressure situations. It was all about challenging myself. It comes down to practice—the more you face those deliveries and practice against tough bowlers, the more confident you become,” Shreyas said.
