Shreyas Iyer's Stellar Comeback in IPL 2025: Aiming for T20 World Cup Spot
Shreyas Iyer's Impressive Return to T20 Cricket
The IPL 2025 is shaping up to be a crucial platform for players aspiring to join India's T20 World Cup 2026 roster. With the tournament still nine months away, the IPL serves as an ideal stage for auditions. While young talents are making waves in India's T20 lineup, veteran Shreyas Iyer is making a notable return. After a period of absence, he has revamped his game, making it hard for selectors to overlook him.
On Sunday, Iyer showcased his skills with a remarkable innings of 45 runs off just 25 balls against the Lucknow Super Giants. He wasn't merely chasing records; instead, he focused on his performance, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. Critics who claimed he struggled against short balls have been proven wrong, as he confidently faced them during the match between PBKS and LSG in Dharamshala.
Iyer had a point to prove after Karnataka opted not to retain him, despite his pivotal role in securing their IPL title last year. The Punjab Kings acquired him for a hefty sum of Rs 26.75 Cr. While Rishabh Pant has faced scrutiny regarding his price, Iyer has remained unfazed.
This season, he has accumulated 405 runs at an impressive strike rate of 180.80 over 11 matches. Only Nicholas Pooran and his teammate Priyansh Arya boast a better strike rate. With just 114 runs needed to surpass his best IPL season, he is well-positioned to achieve this milestone, especially with PBKS advancing towards the playoffs, giving him at least four more opportunities to break his record.
Shreyas Iyer's Performance Highlights
Shreyas Iyer's Performance so far:
- 97* off 42 vs Gujarat Titans
- 52* off 30 vs Lucknow Super Giants
- 10 off 5 vs Rajasthan Royals
- 9 off 7 vs Chennai Super Kings
- 82 off 36 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- 0 off 2 vs Kolkata Knight Riders
- 7 off 10 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- 6 off 10 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- 25* off 16 vs Kolkata Knight Riders
- 72 off 41 vs Chennai Super Kings
- 45 off 25 vs Lucknow Super Giants
India is set to play 23 T20Is leading up to the T20 World Cup in 2026. While the series against Bangladesh in August remains uncertain, at least 20 matches are confirmed before the major event.
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Iyer clearly aligns with the aggressive approach of modern T20 cricket in India. The selectors will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his performance. The only significant competition for Iyer in the middle order comes from the inconsistent Rinku Singh.
While breaking into the T20I squad will be challenging for Iyer, it is not out of reach. Dube has had a lackluster season, and Samson has not made a significant impact. If India opts for changes, Iyer could slot in at No. 3, pushing Tilak Verma to the finisher role at No. 5. Given that Iyer has been batting at No. 3 in IPL 2025, this transition seems logical. However, it raises the question: what are the selectors considering?