Champions Trophy: Robin Uthappa lavishes praises on Shreyas Iyer
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer, Robin Uthappa, feels that Shreyas Iyer finally deserves the recognition he has earned in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Uthappa has praised Iyer's recent match-winning performance against New Zealand on March 2, where he scored a commendable 79 runs off 98 balls. Not only did this innings mark Iyer's second consecutive half-century, but it also played a crucial role in India's victory.
Partnership
Iyer's pivotal role in India's innings
Iyer's performance was key in reviving India's innings after a shaky start. The team was reeling at 30/3 in the first seven overs, but Iyer's partnership with Axar Patel (42) for the fourth wicket helped India cross the 100-run mark. "Not just the fact that he scored runs under pressure, but the way he did, the way he managed pressure," Uthappa said on Star Sports.
Advocacy
Uthappa advocates for Iyer's recognition
Notably, Uthappa has been a vocal advocate for Iyer's recognition. He praised Iyer not just for scoring under pressure, but also for his ability to absorb it and perform at crucial moments. "At 30/3 they were struggling, so they needed a partnership and he was able to do that," Uthappa said. I'm very happy he's flying under the radar, but it's time that he needs to get the attention he deserves
Performance
Iyer's impressive form in 2023
Iyer has been in phenomenal form this year, after his successful domestic cricket stint with Mumbai. In six ODIs this year, he has scored 331 runs at an average of 55.16 and a strike rate of 100.60 with four fifties to his name. His extraordinary performance during the ODI World Cup 2023 saw him score over 500 runs batting in the middle order for India, making history as the first player to do so.