Nagpur, Feb 6 Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role in India’s victory over England in the first ODI in Nagpur, scoring a match-winning 59 off 36 balls. However, in a surprising revelation during the post-match interview, Iyer disclosed that he was originally not part of India's playing XI for the game.
India had already made a forced change, with star batter Virat Kohli ruled out due to a swollen right knee. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had not yet played an ODI, was handed his debut. While many assumed Jaiswal was a direct replacement for Kohli, Iyer’s revelation suggests that Jaiswal was already included in the team’s plans, with Iyer set to start the series on the bench.
"So, funny story," Iyer shared. "I was watching a movie last night, thinking I could extend my night, but then I got a call from the skipper saying that I might play because Virat has got a swollen knee. And then I hurried back to my room and went off to sleep straight away."
When asked about Jaiswal being included ahead of him in the original XI, Iyer tactfully avoided controversy. "You know what you want me to say, but I'm going to keep it low-key and cherish this moment, the victory today," he added.
Jaiswal’s inclusion led to a reshuffle in India’s top order. Regular openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were split, with Gill moving down to No. 3. Had Kohli been available, it remains unclear who would have occupied the crucial No. 3 slot.
Iyer has been India’s preferred No. 4 batter in ODIs in recent years and was instrumental in their run to the 2023 World Cup final. He scored 468 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 66.25, including two centuries, one of which was a dominant 70-ball 105 in the semi-final against New Zealand. His strike rate of 113.24 was the highest among India’s middle-order batters.
With the Champions Trophy starting on February 19, this ODI series against England is India’s final chance to fine-tune their combination. Jaiswal’s inclusion could indicate that India wants him ready as a backup opener in case of injuries, while Gill’s stint in the middle order might be a trial run for a possible shift.
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