In recent times, Team India has been on a remarkable winning streak, winning six consecutive matches, leaving cricket enthusiasts in awe of their prowess. The Men in Blue have showcased their ability not only to set formidable totals but also to defend them with flair. They recently faced England, who found themselves chasing a target of 230, only to be dismissed for a mere 129. This victory propelled India to the top of the table and has them marching confidently towards the World Cup final.
One of the key takeaways from India’s recent performances is their all-round dominance. Every player has stepped up, delivering match-winning performances that have left their opponents reeling. The Indian cricket team has genuinely ticked all the boxes, showcasing a combination of batting, bowling, and fielding excellence.
However, amid this fantastic run, one player has yet to find his form – Shreyas Iyer. With scores of 0, 25, 53, 19, 33, and 4, Iyer has accumulated only 134 runs at an average of 33.5 while batting at No. 4. His inconsistency has raised concerns about his place in the playing XI.
The string of missed opportunities by Shreyas Iyer has attracted the attention of former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. He has offered a detailed analysis of what’s plaguing Iyer and how his failures could affect his place in the Indian team. Misbah believes that Iyer’s vulnerability to short-pitched deliveries is a significant concern.
“Hardik Pandya has to return too after being fit. From Day 1, I feel that KL Rahul at No. 5 is too late. He is a class player and should bat at No. 4. Once Hardik is back, Suryakumar Yadav can bat 6 and Jadeja 7. Then his (Iyer’s) selection would become difficult. He (Iyer) has scored runs; he is coming off a hundred against Australia, is rated high. But overall, his average against fast bowling is around 19-20, and when it comes to short balls, he is just not able to find it. When your weakness comes to the fore, all teams will exploit it,” Misbah said on A Sports.
Misbah added, “He is expecting the short ball and many times, even against short-of-length balls which aren’t ideal for pulling, like the one against England, he goes for the shot. So, you are overthinking about the short ball and you are in trouble. See his front foot. After the initial movement, it goes nowhere. And he is in no position to play the short ball. And he doesn’t even try to avoid the short ball.”
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Wasim Akram, another cricketing legend from Pakistan, echoed Misbah’s sentiments. He called Shreyas Iyer ‘India’s weakest link’ and pointed out the intriguing option that Ishan Kishan, a left-handed batsman, presents in the middle order. Kishan’s addition would bring diversity to the team’s batting lineup, complementing the solid performance of Suryakumar Yadav at No. 6.
“Yeah, he has to perform because Ishan Kishan is sitting out, and he is a left-hander. Remember the first game he played in the Asia Cup; he and Hardik Pandya struck a partnership. So he can bat in the middle order,” added Akram.
