Credit: X
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on star batter Shreyas Iyer for his performance in the recently ended Champions Trophy 2025. The former cricketer believes that Iyer gave a tremendous performance in the tournament depsite him not getting a single player of the match award. Iyer finished as the second-highest run getter in the Champions Trophy and played a crucial part in India's title win.
Mohammad Kaif said that he was surpirsed to see Shreyas Iyer performing well in the Champions Trophy despite not being a regular member of the Indian team and Tests and T20Is. "I was surprised by his form. He neither plays Tests, nor is he in the T20I squad. He plays only ODIs for India. So you are not there in the team continuously. You have to straightaway play for India after playing in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, and in a zone where you have to attack, hit boundaries, and play your natural game," Kaif was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.
"I admire this batter because many players came and went at the No. 4 position. We weren't getting players for the No. 4 position. This guy came and made his place, and plays impactful knocks. He is this tournament's second-highest run-getter, but he didn't get a single Man of the Match," the former cricketer added.
Shreyas Iyer gives massive contributions at No. 4: Aakash Chopra
Former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra also hailed Shreyas Iyer for his contribution with the bat in the middle-order in the last couple of years. He also took an example of his 45-run knock in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia and mentioned how he played slowly during his partnership with Virat Kohli to take the innings further and India closer to the victory.
"He is never in focus. He might not have got a Man of the Match trophy, but I believe he gives massive contributions at No. 4. He manages the innings when there is a spin challenge. He takes the game forward. He even played slow against Australia during his partnership with Virat Kohli," Aakash Chopra said.
