IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Shreyas’ surprise inclusion turns into match-winning performance
IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Shreyas’ surprise inclusion turns into match-winning performance
Shreyas Iyer was watching a movie on Wednesday night when he received a call from India captain Rohit Sharma.
Shreyas, who had plans of extending the night with some binge watching, had to change his plans as Rohit informed him that he could be included in the playing eleven for India’s first ODI against England as Virat Kohli developed a sore knee. Shreyas rushed to his room and by his own admission, ‘went off to sleep straight away.’
And once the team reached the VCA Stadium, Shreyas was formally included in the team as Kohli’s substitute, and the batting at No.4, the seasoned campaigner made the most of the opportunity with a classy 36-ball-59.
Coming in at a time when India was reeling at 19 for 2, in pursuit of England’s 248, Shreyas forged a decisive 94-run stand for the third wicket with Shubman Gill.
Playing aggressive cricket, Shreyas started off with a boundary off Mahmood before pacing the innings with two consecutive sixes off Archer in the seventh over to set the tone. And, after paving the way for the team’s four-wicket win, the batter was elated.
“It has been outstanding. I wasn’t supposed to play the first game as we all know. Virat unfortunately got injured and I got the opportunity. But I kept myself prepared. I knew that at any point of time I could get a chance to play,” Shreyas told the official broadcaster.
“And the same thing happened with me last year as well during the Asia Cup. I got injured and someone else came and he scored a century,” he said.
With the Champions Trophy coming up, expectations will be high from Shreyas, but leading up to the tournament, he wants to keep things simple. “I’m going to keep it low key and just cherish this moment,” Shreyas said.
Coming on the back of a forgettable Ranji Trophy outing against Jammu and Kashmir, the Mumbai batter was determined to prove a point in white-ball cricket and with an opportunity coming his way, he did not let it go.
