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Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday showered the highest praise on India's top-order batter Shreyas Iyer for playing a match-winning knock in the 1st T20I against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Talking to the broadcasters post-match, Gavaskar compared Iyer's some shots with the forehand of Tennis greats like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Gavaskar seemed impressed with Iyer playing with the full face of the bat as much as possible except for the odd occasion.
"He was unparalleled. He played more like a Djokovic or a Federer forehand," said the former India captain on Star Sports.
Notably, Iyer's 74 runs off 44 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and four sixes, guided India to chase down their target of 183 in just 17.1 overs. This was Iyer's second consecutive T20I half-century in the series on his way to his highest career score of 74 runs off 44 deliveries.
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Gavaskar hailed Iyer's "clever and confident" batting style by stating: "First thing he did was hit that straight drive for a boundary. After that, it was even if he was lofting the ball; he was doing it in the 'V'. So fewer chances of being caught because fielders are on either side of the sightscreen."
The 'Little Master' also shared that middle-order batter Sanju Samson is his favourite player. The Kerala cricketer scored a 25-ball 39 and built an 84-run stand alongside Iyer. According to Gavaskar, the vital factor in such a crucial run-chase is temperament and shot selection.
"To see it coming from Sanju Samson who is my favourite player has been fantastic," Gavaskar stated. Both the batters played brilliantly on Saturday in the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka and were instrumental while chasing the huge total of 183-runs as the Men in Blue finished off the chase with 17 balls remaining. The final T20I will commence at the same venue- the HPCA Stadium- on Sunday.
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