With his slowest ODI 50, Shreyas Iyer turns ‘Mr. Crisis from Aggressor,’ saves India against New Zealand
Shreyas Iyer once again showcased his versatility and composure at number four, delivering a crucial half-century against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, March 2, during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Coming off a solid 56 against Pakistan, Iyer demonstrated his ability to weather early pressure after India lost Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and ViratKohli with just 30 runs on the board in 6.4 overs.
Teaming up with Axar Patel, Iyer steadied the innings with a match-saving partnership for the fourth wicket. The left-right combination frustrated the Kiwi bowlers, initially halting their momentum before capitalizing on loose deliveries. Iyer’s knock of 50 runs off 75 balls—his slowest ODI half-century—featured four boundaries, three of which came in a single over from Will O’Rourke.
This performance underscored Iyer’s adaptability and temperament under pressure, as he played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a precarious position. His ability to counterattack and consolidate further solidifies his status as India’s premier middle-order option, proving his immense value to the team in high-stakes situations.