Ravichandran Ashwin Steals Virat Kohli’s Credit For This Indian Batsman In Champions Trophy 2025

The Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has displayed his praise for the middle order batter, Shreyas Iyer, who has dominated the middle overs in the Champions Trophy 2025. Iyer failed to celebrate a century but has always stood on vital occasions.

Iyer struggled in the opening game of the event with 15 runs against Bangladesh, before he celebrated two successive half-centuries against Pakistan and New Zealand. Even his 45-run knock against Australia in the first semifinal was enough to help the side get over the line in the 265-run chase.

“The game changer will be Shreyas Iyer”- Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket after the fourth Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 clash at the Gabba in Brisbane, reckoned that Iyer’s recent form has helped him in becoming the game-changer for the blue brigade in the recent tournament.

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“Iyer was doing a post-match with Robin Uthappa. Robin asked him how he was so composed. Then he said, ‘I have worked on my breathing technique.’ This guy has had an excellent 2023 World Cup. He has batted well against New Zealand and has played well at the Wankhede in Mumbai. And once again, in this tournament, he has looked crackerjack.” The Tamil Nadu spinner expressed, in his YouTube channel.

For a long time, Iyer has gone through a tough challenge in facing the short balls but he has worked on his game in facing those deliveries.

“He has worked well on his short-ball game as well. Of course, he got out in the last game. But it shouldn’t matter. I think this is Shreyas Iyer’s biggest strength. He wants to get better at what he is not good at.” Ravichandran Ashwin addressed.

Ravichandran Ashwin credits Shreyas Iyer for Virat Kohli's ODI success in the Champions Trophy

Before the start of the eight-team tournament, Virat Kohli struggled a bit against England at home in the ODI series, as he smashed a half-century in the third encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

One of the journalists in the press conference asked India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, on the discussions with the Delhi batter for his return in form and Ravichandran Ashwin is impressed with the former opener’s reply.

“There was a question with Gauti in the press conference. What was the conversation with Virat? Because he got out against a leg-spinner. Gauti gave an amazing answer. A guy has played 300 games. He will get out.” The Chennai-born addressed.

“But apart from that, there is one thing: Virat Kohli can play the way he is playing because Shreyas Iyer is playing this way against spin,” Ashwin noted.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals importance of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer partnership

The veteran reckons that Shreyas and Virat have mastered the partnership beautifully between them as the captains can’t install the spinners in the middle. Iyer always removes the pressure from Kohli as they have partnered with each other to form a formidable pair.

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“And for Virat’s success, Shreyas Iyer has played a part in it. And for Shreyas’s success, Virat has a part in it. Because this is what people call playing in partnerships. Because if fast bowlers attack Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli can easily score runs; he can even hit the odd boundary.” Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out in the interaction.

“So, this is a combination that is made possible by Shreyas Iyer’s batting against spin. In these conditions, you can’t enforce a spin choke against India because Shreyas is batting like this. If Shreyas gets out, then it is a problem.” The veteran Indian all-rounder concluded.