Shreyas Iyer’s Counter-Attacking Play Makes Him Ideal for India’s Middle-Order

KKN Gurugram Desk | In the third ODI match between India and England, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12, 2025, India posted a massive 357-run target. The match witnessed an intense battle, particularly during England’s chase, where they made a strong start. However, a crucial intervention from India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, and some key performances from Indian bowlers and batsmen, including Shreyas Iyer, ensured India’s victory by a commanding margin of 142 runs.

England’s Strong Start

At one point, during England’s chase of 357 runs, they were cruising with 60 runs on the board without losing a wicket. Ben Duckett, in particular, was playing aggressively, having already scored 34 runs. However, despite his groin injury, Duckett was hitting the ball all over the ground with his powerful shots. This left India a bit worried as the pressure started building up.

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, quickly noticed the situation and took charge of the moment. He observed Duckett’s limited movement due to his injury and instructed Arshdeep Singh to bowl more strategically. Instead of offering regular seam-up deliveries, Arshdeep was directed to bowl slower balls, exploiting Duckett’s injury. This tactical shift led to Duckett’s dismissal, and the mood of the game changed in India’s favor. Rohit’s leadership and calm interventions played a pivotal role in the team’s success.

Shreyas Iyer’s Impact on the Game

Shreyas Iyer’s performance in this match was one of the standout contributions. As the middle-order batsman, Iyer has proven himself to be a counter-attacking force, and his knock in this match provided much-needed stability and acceleration to India’s innings. After India lost the early wicket of Virat Kohli to Adil Rashid, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill built a strong partnership, which helped India recover and push forward to a massive total.

Iyer’s counter-attacking approach is exactly what India needs in the lower middle-order. His ability to attack bowlers while maintaining composure under pressure makes him an invaluable asset for the team. He has been working on improving his technique, especially against the short ball, and his efforts have paid off. In the series, Iyer has showcased an open stance and a more traditional head position, which has allowed him to execute smooth pull shots and handle pace effectively.

Shreyas Iyer’s Playing Style and Technique

Shreyas Iyer’s approach to playing short-pitched deliveries has evolved over time. In domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, he had experimented with an open stance, facing mid-on with his feet spread apart. In the ongoing series, however, Iyer has made adjustments, opting for a more traditional head position while retaining his open-foot placement. This change has allowed him to better deal with deliveries directed at his body and execute powerful pulls.

Despite facing challenging bowlers like Mark Wood, Iyer has continued to show composure. He has learned to work through his weaknesses, and his counter-attacking play has been instrumental in India’s strong middle-order. Iyer’s ability to play aggressive strokes while managing his defensive game has provided balance to India’s batting lineup.

Shreyas Iyer’s Role in India’s Middle-Order

India’s middle-order has been significantly bolstered by Shreyas Iyer’s presence. His aggressive style of play, especially in challenging situations, makes him the perfect fit for the lower middle-order position. Iyer’s ability to turn the game around with his counter-attacking mindset allows him to capitalize on any momentum, keeping the scoreboard ticking even during difficult phases. His adaptability to different match situations makes him a valuable asset for India, particularly when the team needs a quick recovery or an acceleration.

In case of a big collapse or when quick runs are needed, Iyer provides the right balance. His willingness to take calculated risks allows him to rotate strike, find boundaries, and build partnerships under pressure. With KL Rahul following him, India has a solid structure in the middle-order to weather any storm and propel the team forward.

India’s Batting and Shubman Gill’s Role

The partnership between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli was another key highlight of India’s innings. Both batsmen took their time to settle in while Mark Wood, in particular, tested their outside edges with his sharp deliveries. Despite the pressure, Gill and Kohli remained composed, never showing signs of recklessness. This measured approach was essential in building a foundation for the rest of the innings.

Gill’s performance was almost flawless, particularly in his shot selection. He picked the bowlers he wanted to target, and his flawless strokeplay allowed him to score freely. He dominated the spinners and pacers alike, finishing with a century that helped India post a challenging total.

A Tough Day for England’s Batting Lineup

England’s chase of the 357-run target quickly fell apart after a series of dismissals. Arshdeep Singh and other Indian bowlers maintained pressure on the English batsmen by changing their pace and using slower deliveries effectively. Arshdeep’s change of pace caused Phil Salt to edge a slower bouncer to Axar Patel at point. This wicket was just the beginning of England’s collapse.

Kuldeep Yadav, who replaced Varun Chakravarthy for this match, also contributed significantly. He found good rhythm and deceived Tom Banton with a loopy googly. Banton’s edge found its way to KL Rahul behind the stumps, further denting England’s chase. The middle-order quickly crumbled, with Joe Root and Jos Buttler falling in quick succession.

The turning point came when England was reduced to 154 for 5 after Buttler’s dismissal. From there, the chase was all but over, and the Indian bowlers continued to dominate. Harshit Rana took the wicket of Harry Brook, reducing England to 161 for 6 in the 27th over.

India’s Bowling Strategy and Focus on the Field

India’s fielding was sharp and energetic, with Rohit Sharma frequently making tactical interventions. Whether it was encouraging the fielders to stay focused or urging them to improve positioning, Rohit’s leadership on the field played a significant role in India’s victory. His calm demeanor and precise decision-making ensured that the team was always in control of the game.

The Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep, Harshit, and Axar Patel, executed the plan perfectly. They varied their pace, used slower balls strategically, and kept the pressure building on the English batsmen. The consistency with which they applied pressure made it difficult for England to recover.

Shreyas Iyer’s contribution in India’s middle-order has been instrumental in this series. His ability to counterattack and take on bowlers makes him a critical part of India’s batting lineup. His performance in this game, alongside Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, helped India post a total that proved too much for England to chase.

Iyer’s evolving technique and confidence against pace and spin alike indicate that he is becoming one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen. With KL Rahul to follow, Iyer’s presence offers India a solid foundation and the ability to turn the game around, making him an indispensable part of India’s lineup for the upcoming challenges.

As India continues to build its squad for future international tournaments, Iyer’s role in the middle-order will be crucial, and his counter-attacking style will play a significant role in shaping India’s batting success.