Why India shouldn’t forget Shreyas Iyer in Champions Trophy 2025 squad
After the conclusion of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, all eyes will shift to India’s upcoming white-ball assignments, including ODI and T20I series against England, followed by the highly anticipated ICC event—the Champions Trophy 2025. As the men in blue aim for another ICC title following their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, there is growing speculation about India’s squad for the Champions Trophy.
There is considerable anticipation surrounding India’s white-ball squad for the Champions Trophy, especially since the team will be playing the 50-over format after their series loss to Sri Lanka in August 2024. According to PTI, Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender for the ODI squad. His inclusion would bring a left-handed batter to the top four, with Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli expected to secure the first three spots. However, the question remains whether Jaiswal could replace Shreyas Iyer in the squad. Despite Jaiswal’s promising form, Iyer has been in sensational form in domestic cricket, particularly for Mumbai.
Shreyas’s bliztrkrieg in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Shreyas Iyer has been a standout performer, especially in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored an impressive 312 runs in four matches for Mumbai. One of his key performances came when he scored a match-winning 137, guiding Mumbai to a massive 163-run victory over Puducherry. Mumbai found themselves in trouble at 82 for five, but Iyer’s brilliant 133-ball 133, including 16 fours and four sixes, helped them recover and post a strong total. In reply, Puducherry were bundled out for just 127 in 27.2 overs, thanks to the efforts of Suryansh Shedge, Ayush Mhatre, and Shardul Thakur, who shared the wickets to seal a dominant victory for Mumbai.
Shreyas Iyer once again showcased his power-hitting skills with an explosive 114 off 55 balls against Karnataka, including five fours and 10 sixes at the Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground in Ahmedabad. He reached his century in just 50 deliveries.
Sensational form in domestic cricket
The 30-year-old has been in exceptional form this domestic season. In the Ranji Trophy, he has accumulated 452 runs in four matches at an average of 90.40, with a strike rate of 88.80 and a top score of 233.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer scored 345 runs in nine matches, with an average of 49.28 and a remarkable strike rate of 188.52. His highest score in the tournament was an unbeaten 130, and he also captained Mumbai to victory in the SMAT 2024 final.
The ODI World Cup 2023 heroics
Having last played for India during the Sri Lanka tour in August, Shreyas Iyer will be aiming to impress ahead of the Champions Trophy. With 4336 runs in 14 Tests, 62 ODIs, and 51 T20Is at an average of 39.77, including six centuries, Iyer has proven himself as a reliable middle-order batter. He was a crucial part of India’s successful 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, scoring 530 runs at an average of 66.25 in 11 innings, with a strike rate of 113.24. He was India’s third-highest run-scorer, behind Kohli and Rohit, and played an important role, including two centuries—one of which came in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
After Iyer was snubbed from the BCCI’s annual contract list, he made a strong comeback in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Mumbai batter has since showcased his consistency and adaptability, making a strong case for his place in the middle order. With his impressive domestic form and experience on the international stage, Iyer remains a vital candidate for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
