Shreyas Iyer: The Most Improved Batter in Indian Cricket
Sourav Ganguly Praises Shreyas Iyer's Transformation
New Delhi [India] - March 26: Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has lauded Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, as the most significantly improved batsman over the past year, stating he is now prepared for all formats of the game.
After being omitted from the BCCI's central contract list for 2023-24, Shreyas Iyer has made a remarkable comeback. He returned to the domestic cricket scene, dedicated himself to rigorous training, and re-entered international cricket with newfound confidence.
Following his impressive performance as the top run-scorer for India during the victorious Champions Trophy, Shreyas has continued to shine in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
He played a crucial role in his team's victory against the Gujarat Titans, scoring an explosive 97* in the first innings. Throughout this innings, Shreyas demonstrated that what was once his weakness, the short-length delivery, has now become an asset.
Ganguly expressed his happiness at witnessing this evolved version of the 30-year-old on social media platform X, stating, "Shreyas Iyer is the most improved batsman in the last year... ready for all formats. It's great to see his progress after facing some challenges with length."
Shreyas's pursuit of his first IPL century was not merely for personal glory; he was focused on leading his team to victory. As fatigue set in, he chose to prioritize the team's success over his milestone, encouraging Shashank Singh to take charge and capitalize on the final over.
His explosive innings included five boundaries, propelling PBKS to a formidable total of 243/5, which proved too much for GT, resulting in a narrow 11-run defeat.
Shreyas's match-winning performance of 97* is a testament to his consistent form over the past year. In his recent Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 480 runs across five matches for Mumbai, averaging an impressive 68.57 with a strike rate of 90.22.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 345 runs in nine matches, ranking as the fourth-highest run-scorer. His exceptional form continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he achieved 325 runs in five games at an astonishing average of 325.00.