Shreyas Iyer’s Nagpur Knock Called His ‘Best ODI Innings’ By Sanjay Manjrekar

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was thrilled by Shreyas Iyer's counter-attack during India's run chase in the first One-Day International against England in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6.

The right-handed hitter scored 59 runs off 36 deliveries after stepping in at 19-2 in the sixth over, helping the Men in Blue reach a target of 249.

Iyer back with a bang

Iyer had to overcome an early short-ball bombardment from Jofra Archer before resuming the assault on the visitors. He appeared to be in bad shape until being trapped in front by Jacob Bethell while attempting a sweep shot in the 16th over.

England captain Jos Buttler termed Iyer's partnership with Gill as the turning point as they bailed India out of a precarious situation.

"He was damn good": Sanjay Manjrekar on Shreyas Iyer’s Nagpur ODI knock

Sanjay Manjrekar labeled Iyer's fifty as his best ODI innings to date, naming him the most effective player of the match.

"Not only was he effective, but he was damn good. His innings was just high quality; he did not put a foot wrong. I know it was not a big hundred, but it has to be his best one-day innings that I have seen.

This was just Shreyas Iyer reacting to high-quality bowling. He seems to have worked out a beautiful backfoot game. He's always been a backfoot player but tended to open up, which he is not doing anymore. You saw all the shots possible, and there was a lot of orthodox-sy as well,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

Shreyas Iyer was a last-minute inclusion in the playing XI following Virat Kohli's knee injury on the eve of the contest.

Sanjay Manjrekar credits Shreyas Iyer’s domestic cricket stint for his resurgence.

When Iyer was out of the red-ball squad during Team India's home season, he played for Mumbai in the domestic league. He led the heavyweights in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy competitions.

"The way he batted today, just the technique and the ball hitting that were happening, it was very, very compact, and a very good innings, like a well-oiled machine. If domestic cricket has helped him to just get into the groove, then all the arguments that we are hearing about the big names not playing domestic cricket, here's an example.

Because of Shreyas Iyer, the way he played, I'm sure there is some connection with him playing those domestic matches,” Manjrekar concluded.

It remains to be seen whether Shreyas Iyer will hold onto his spot in the India XI for the Cuttack ODI in case Virat Kohli is fit to return in the second match against England on Sunday, February 9.

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