Cuttack, Australian legend Ricky Ponting finds it incredulous that Shreyas Iyer has not been given a everlasting slot in India’s white-ball facet, given his magnificent type and the power to dominate spinners on gradual subcontinental pitches.
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Iyer was one of many very important cogs in India’s run to the ultimate of the 50-over World Cup in 2023, with the middle-order batter scoring 530 runs to emerge the seventh-highest run-getter within the international occasion, and he additional validated his prowess within the format with a 36-ball 59 in opposition to England within the first ODI at Nagpur on Thursday.
In home cricket too, the 30-year-old has been in advantageous fettle this season, scoring two centuries for Mumbai within the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“I’ve been a little bit surprised that he’s been out of India’s side in the last couple of years. He had a terrific World Cup back in India where he played beautifully in the middle-order and I actually felt then that he’d almost cemented that spot and made that his own,” opined Ponting on ICC Evaluation.
“Then he had those couple of injuries, obviously injured his back and went out of the side, but his domestic season this year has been brilliant.
“It form of coincided with what he is achieved since round public sale time going ahead in home cricket, he has been just about excellent,” said Ponting about the right-hand batter, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title last year after missing the 2023 edition due to a serious back injury.
Ponting feels Iyer will thrive in the Champions Trophy, beginning in Pakistan and Dubai on February 19.
“He is obtained the sport that can stand as much as the white-ball codecs, particularly in that a part of the world,” Ponting said.
“On these wickets the slower, decrease wickets he is dynamic on these. We all know how good a hitter of spin bowling he’s and groups have a tendency to not bowl a variety of spin at India, however at some stage it is going to come.”
Ponting, who is Punjab Kings coach, bought Iyer for ₹26.75 crore for the upcoming IPL season, added that he is “delighted” to see the Mumbai man in PBKS as the franchise look to win their first title.
“If Shreyas is out within the center, then he is pretty much as good as anybody. So, I am delighted to see him again within the group.”