Following his side’s win over Australia in the second ODI by 99
runs, Bharatiya batter Shreyas Iyer, who had smashed a match-winning century,
said he is not in line to take the number three batting position from star
batter Virat Kohli, calling him one of the greatest.
Bharat outplayed Australia with both bat and ball to clinch the
three-match ODI series 2-0 after winning the second match by 99 runs through
the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
“It was a rollercoaster ride (his injury), feeling fantastic. My
teammates, friends and family were there for my support. I was seeing the
matches on TV, I wanted to be out there and participate in the matches.
Grateful to be believing in myself. The pain and niggles kept on coming, but I
knew what I was aiming for,” said Iyer in the post-match presentation.
“Glad that I was able to execute my plans perfectly today.
Basically, when I went in to bat, I did not want to complicate things. I wanted
to get my eyes set, that’s how I give confidence to myself. I am flexible, and
ready to bat any position, whatever my team needs me to do. Virat (Kohli) is
one of the greats, there is no chance of stealing that (number 3) spot from
him. I just need to keep scoring wherever (at any position) I bat,” he added.
Iyer has batted 11 times at number three in ODIs, scoring 642 runs
at an average of 58.36 and a strike rate of above 97. He has one century and
six fifties at this position, with the best score of 105.
Coming to the match, Bharat was put to bat first by Australia. A
200-run partnership for the second wicket between Shubman Gill (104 in 97
balls, six fours and four sixes) and Shreyas Iyer (105 in 90 balls, 11 fours and
three sixes) laid the foundation for something big.
Later, half centuries from skipper KL Rahul (52 in 38 balls, with
three fours and three sixes) and Suryakumar Yadav (72* in 37 balls with six
fours and six sixes) and a cameo from Ishan Kishan (31 in 18 balls with two
fours and two sixes) pushed Bharat to 399/5 in 50 overs.
Cameron Green took two wickets for Australia but gave away 103
runs. Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa took a wicket each.
In the chase of 400, Australia was reduced to 9/2 and rain
interrupted the action. Following the resumption of action, the target was 317
in 33 overs.
An 80-run stand between David Warner (53 in 39 balls, seven fours
and a six) and Marnus Labuschagne (27) stabilised the innings a bit. But after
this, wickets kept falling and the Aussies sunk to 140/8.
A 77-run explosive partnership between Abbott (54 in 36 balls with
four boundaries and five sixes) and Josh Hazlewood (23) entertained the
audience, but the Aussies were bundled out for 217 in 28.2 overs, losing by 99
runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for Bharat with
3/41, with his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja getting 3/42. Prasidh Krishna got
two wickets while Mohammed Shami got one.
Bharat has won the series 2-0 with one match to go.
Shreyas Iyer was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his
century.
ANI
