When Shreyas Iyer walked in for Mumbai against Andhra and stood at 130/3, the focus shifted to how he would handle the mental game. Teams, especially in red-ball cricket, had planned to test him with short deliveries, and this was evident in the Ranji match’s second phase – Andhra was not going to deviate from this strategy.
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Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer, who was left out of India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, made 48 runs on his Ranji Trophy comeback for Mumbai.
No matter what, once a new ball loses its shine, players like Iyer, armed with a bustling on-side field and a barrage of short deliveries and bouncers, go on to challenge their opponents. Last season, this was their plan against most adversaries, and against Iyer, one did not expect anything different.
When Shreyas Iyer stepped in, there wasn’t much anticipation of a significant change in approach, but Andhra wasn’t going to stick to their predicted script. Despite his flaws, Iyer is a free-flowing batsman, always preferring to stay busy. Even when things ease up a bit, he likes to launch a counter-attack, a mindset that has yielded results.
Much depends on him, particularly after his struggles in South Africa and with the England Test series looming closer, India needs an in-form Shreyas Iyer in the middle order. That’s why the selectors wanted him to play red-ball cricket.
A traditional flick through mid-wicket from the middle order took him forward, and later, he used his feet to come down the track, lifting the ball over off-spinner Shoaib Mohammad Khan’s straight boundary. As long as he stayed in the middle, runs were scored for Mumbai, as Shreyas Iyer not only regained his timing but also appeared set for a big score, challenging Andhra’s plans.
Andhra needed only those two lines to get back to their plan – their fast bowlers operating around Iyer’s stumps. He dealt cautiously with some short deliveries from the outset, not letting Iyer off the hook. The only thing bothering him was the pace. Unlike in South Africa, where he had to be quick for pace, on the MC-KSCA field, he had to wait for the ball to arrive. As long as he didn’t have to be hasty, those short deliveries didn’t trouble Iyer. And once he adjusted to the pitch’s pace, Iyer won’t just sit back.
Despite having a leg-side field packed with five fielders, Iyer succeeded in hitting some boundaries with short deliveries. His control over his shots remained intact on both occasions. Reddy, who took three wickets on the first day, said, “We had planned to throw bouncers at Shreyas and test his patience. “We adhered to our strategies, and they proved to be highly effective.”
Mumbai concluded the day at 281 for 6, with the final six wickets falling for 51 runs. They could have done better if their top order had altered their start. After making 39 runs, they lost opener Jay Bista, and Ajinkya Rahane got a big in-swinging yorker from Reddy on his first ball.
After Rahane’s zero, two youngsters – Bhupen Lalwani and Suved Parkar – helped Mumbai recover. Lalwani, after making 61 runs, was bowled by Lalit Mohan, and he shared a 61-run partnership for the third wicket. Iyer and Parkar tried to stabilize Mumbai before the latter got out attempting to sweep a low full toss, leaving Mumbai at 224 for 6.
Harfanhmoula Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, who managed to win over Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, had a difficult session.
Brief Score: Mumbai 281 for 6 (Jay Bista 39, Bhupen Lalwani 61, Suved Parkar 41, Shreyas Iyer 48, Shams Mulani 30, Tanush Kotian 31, Nitesh Reddy 3/44) against Andhra.
Shreyas Iyer: From IPL Superstar to Purple and Gold Captain!
Ever heard of a cricket superhero? Well, Shreyas Iyer is akin to one for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL! Not with a cape and mask, perhaps, but with his powerful bat and fantastic captaincy, he’s undoubtedly a star. Let’s delve into Shreyas Iyer’s remarkable journey in the IPL – from a young lad with big dreams to one of the finest captains!
From Mumbai Streets to IPL Spotlight:
Imagine nine-year-old Shreyas, practicing cricket day and night on the streets of Mumbai. That’s where it all began – a bat in hand and fire in his eyes. He worked hard, scored heaps of runs in school and local matches, eventually catching the attention of big names – the IPL teams!
In 2015, Delhi Daredevils picked him, and boom! Shreyas quickly rose to stardom. He made runs like a superhero defeating villains, scored centuries, and won matches for his team. He even bagged the “Emerging Player of the Tournament” award! It’s like winning the “Coolest Rookie” trophy in school, but on a grander and more fiery scale!
Captain Cool with the Golden Touch:
Remember how Spider-Man got superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider? Well, in 2018, Shreyas got captaincy powers! And he wasn’t just a leader; he was a run-scoring machine! Smashing sixes like fireworks, leading his team to consecutive victories, and even taking them to the IPL final!
But just like in superhero movies, there are sometimes setbacks. In 2021, Shreyas faced injuries, keeping him away from the game for a while. But like a real hero, he came back stronger than ever, eager to take on new tasks.
Purple Reign with KKR:
In 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders saw something special in Shreyas, dressed in their calm purple and golden hues. They bought him in the IPL auction, making him the highest-paid player in their history! Not just that, they named him their captain too!
Now, Shreyas leads a young and dynamic KKR team, much like Iron Man leading the Avengers. With experience, skill, and passion, he guides them, hits towering sixes even with a Thor-like hammer, and celebrates with high-fives and fist pumps that even Hulk would be proud of!
What will happen to Shreyas Iyer next?
Only time will tell! But one thing is for sure: with his shining batting and inspirational leadership, Shreyas Iyer will continue to illuminate the IPL. And who knows, maybe one day, he’ll lead KKR to lift that prestigious IPL trophy!
Remember, kids, just like Shreyas, all of you are harboring superpowers waiting to be discovered. So, keep practicing, chase your dreams, and who knows, maybe you’ll be the next IPL hero!
Fun Facts about Shreyas Iyer:
- Shreyas’s favorite shot: The cover drive, where he sends the ball flying past the fielders like a guided missile!
- When not playing cricket, you might find him having fun with family and friends, playing video games, or maybe even writing poems – who knows!
You now have it, then! The story of Shreyas Iyer, the Mumbai youngster who became an IPL superstar. Now, go out there, dream big, and remember, if you believe in yourself, anything is possible!
