ICC World Cup 2023: Open and shut up case!

Shreyas Iyer during his 82 yesterday. PIC/Getty Images

Team India's Mumbai boy Shreyas Iyer proved his mettle once again and shouldered responsibility perfectly by scoring an attacking 56-ball 82 which helped Rohit Sharma & Co post 357-8 against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

It was definitely one of Iyer's better knocks which came under tremendous pressure, but his coach - former India batsman Pravin Amre - reckoned Iyer's best innings in this World Cup has yet to come.

Also Read: Shreyas insists he has no problem with the short stuff

Iyer arrived at the crease after Shubman Gill's departure for 92 in the 30th over. He opened his account by taking a single off leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha. Then, left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka (5-80) welcomed him with a short-pitched ball which Iyer pulled towards square leg for another single.

Iyer shifted gears after 10 deliveries, going the aerial route in almost every over. He hit his first six by picking pacer Kasun Rajitha's slower ball very early and dispatched it over the long-off fence. In the next over, Iyer sent spinner Hemantha for another maximum.

India's first six of the innings came in the 27th over when Gill smashed pacer Dushmantha Chameera (1-71) over the midwicket fence. However, Iyer's presence at the crease changed the equation quickly as he smashed six sixes - most of them dispatched over the bowler's head and three fours during his refreshing knock.

When Iyer reached 70, he completed 2,000 ODI runs in his 54th game. The highlight of his innings was his back-to-back sixes in the 48th over. He pulled Madushanka to the midwicket fence into the Divecha Pavilion and then hit a superbly-timed straight six.

It was evident that Iyer worked hard on his game a couple of days ago at his home ground while preparing to counter short-pitched balls with the help of head coach Rahul Dravid. Indeed, his Thursday innings showcased strong technique as well as a positive mindset.

"He [Iyer] shouldered responsibility very well and helped the team post a 350-plus score. He has shown why he was backed by the team management, especially for his ability to hit long sixes. This knock will give him a lot of confidence. I understand a lot of people were trolling him before this game, but he played his game and delivered. Team India needed this knock," Amre, who was present at the Wankhede Stadium, told mid-day on Thursday.

Iyer, 28, had scored an unbeaten 53 against Pakistan at Ahmedabad on October 14. He started off with a duck against Australia in his side's opening game at Chennai, followed by 25 not out against Afghanistan. After his 53 against Pakistan, he had scores of 19 (v Bangladesh in Pune), 33 (against New Zealand at Dharamsala) and was dismissed for a 16-ball 4 by England at Lucknow.

"This is Shreyas's second fifty in this tournament, but as a coach, I will say his best is yet to come in this tournament. Let his bat do the talking," signed off Amre.

216
No. of runs scored by Shreyas Iyer in the ongoing World Cup edition