Shreyas Iyer Nominated for ICC Player of the Month After Stellar Champions Trophy Performance
Shreyas Iyer's Remarkable Performance
After an impressive display in last month's Champions Trophy, Shreyas Iyer, a key player in India's middle order, has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for March, alongside New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy.
Iyer accumulated 243 runs across five matches, boasting an average of 48.60 and scoring two half-centuries, playing a crucial role in India's triumph in the eight-team tournament. According to the ICC's website, he scored 172 runs in three ODIs during March, averaging 57.33 with a strike rate of 77.47, making him India's top scorer in the competition.
His contributions were essential for India's unbeaten streak. Iyer's highest score of 79 was against New Zealand in their Group A match, and he also contributed a determined 45 against Australia in the semi-finals, followed by a composed 48 in the final against the Black Caps, leading India to victory. The ICC noted that his ability to stabilize the innings and forge partnerships was key during critical moments of the tournament.
In contrast, Ravindra led the batting charts with 263 runs in four matches, averaging 65.75 and including two centuries.
In March, he scored 151 runs in three ODIs at an impressive average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 106.33, while also taking three wickets at a commendable economy rate of 4.66. His standout performance came in the semi-final against South Africa, where he scored a remarkable 108, forming a crucial 164-run partnership with Kane Williamson that propelled the Black Caps to the highest total ever recorded in the Champions Trophy. Ravindra also maintained pressure with economical bowling, taking a wicket in each of his three ODIs.
Meanwhile, Duffy, currently the top-ranked T20I bowler, made the nomination list following a stellar performance in New Zealand's 4-1 series victory over Pakistan in T20Is. He claimed 13 wickets with an economy rate of 6.17 and an average of 8.38.
His standout performances included a career-best 4/14 in the opening match in Christchurch and another four-wicket haul (4/20) in the fourth match in Mount Maunganui, proving to be a formidable challenge for the Pakistani batsmen throughout the series.