WI v IND | Shreyas Iyer’s knock was the game-changer, says Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli reckons it was Shreyas Iyer’s blistering 41-ball 65 – including three boundaries and five huge sixes – that changed the game decisively for India. India managed to chase down 255 with six wickets in hand and with ten balls to spare on the back of Kohli’s 43rd ODI century.
Team India was faced with a stiff target, largely from an early Windies onslaught at the hand of Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis. Then, the target was made 15 runs stiffer by the D/L method. So, in effect, needed 255 off 30 overs to win their ninth successive bilateral series against the Windies.
Rohit Sharma set the tone, but fell soon after, following a miscommunication with his partner Shikhar Dhawan. However, Dhawan carried on, and together with Kohli solidified the chase. Then, both he and the incoming batsman Rishabh Pant fell in the same over leaving India at 92/3 when Shreyas Iyer came in.
Although he took time to settle down – which at that time seemed as though the Windies were running away with the match – once he stepped down to smash Fabian Allen straight down the ground for a maximum, there was no looking back. Iyer and Kohli put on their second successive century partnership in the series, and India sailed home with ease.
“The way he (Shreyas Iyer) batted out there, he took a lot of pressure off me. His knock was the game-changer. We want to have people take responsibility at different batting positions. But he certainly presented a strong case for himself. He completely played in full control and was putting pressure on the bowlers. Really good tempo, really good character,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference, reported Hindustan Times.
The Indian skipper was particularly impressed with the composure shown by the Delhi Capitals.
“He understood the value of performing in these situations. It will only boost his confidence further. I was exactly the same when I came in - any opportunity I got I wanted to win games for my team and play according to the situation and you have to take risks. He was brave under pressure. You need to reveal your game to realise who you are, what your game is and what kind of a player you are,” Kohli added.
With his second successive half-century in the middle-order, Iyer has made a strong case for a permanent spot in the lineup. He failed to convert both chances into centuries, but that of course, will come with time and experience.
For now, he will head home satisfied with his performance, while his teammates head to Antigua for the first of two Test matches between the two nations. It will be their first match in the ICC World Test Championships. India is yet to be beaten on the tour so far, having won the T20I series 3-0.