Experienced batter Shreyas Iyer displayed his class with a blistering half-century against England on Thursday, reigniting debate over India’s batting composition ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Iyer was in sublime touch, hammering 59 runs off just 36 balls, as India comfortably chased down England’s modest total of 248 in Nagpur, sealing victory with more than 11 overs to spare and taking a 1–0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
Interestingly, Iyer’s innings materialised only due to the absence of Virat Kohli, who was rested with a sore knee. The 29-year-old was drafted into the XI at the eleventh hour after a phone call from skipper Rohit Sharma.
“So, funny story,” Iyer told Star Sports after the match. “I was watching a movie last night and thought I could have a late one, but then I got a call from the skipper saying I might have to play because Virat has got a swollen knee. I hurried back to my room and went straight to sleep.”
He added, “I wasn’t supposed to play the first game. Virat unfortunately got injured, and that opened up the opportunity for me. But I always keep myself ready because I know anything can happen at any time. The same thing happened to me last year during the Asia Cup — I got injured, someone else came in and scored a century.”
Kohli’s knee issue is yet to be fully assessed, but his expected return for the remaining matches against England — and later for the Champions Trophy — presents the Indian selectors with a pleasant yet complex dilemma. With Iyer, Kohli, and several others all in excellent form, India now face the enviable challenge of fitting all their top-performing batters into one playing XI.
Iyer’s impressive knock not only strengthens his case but also deepens the competition for middle-order spots, leaving India’s team management with a genuine selection headache as they look ahead to the Champions Trophy.
