Iyer could be strong contender and a regular feature in the middle order: Virat Kohli

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Debasis Sen, Port of Spain: Indian captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday made a big statement on Shreyas Iyer, following his matured knocks in the last two ODI’s against West Indies. Kohli got the perfect support from the Mumbai batsman in bailing out the team from trouble. Both he and Iyer added partnerships of 125 and 120 respectively during the second and third ODI’s at the Queens Park Oval. The Indian captain was very impressed to see the maturity in young Shreyas and reminded him of his early days in the Indian side.

“He understood the value of performing in these situations,” Kohli said after India’s six-wicket win (DLS method) in Port of Spain on Wednesday. “It will only boost his confidence further. I was exactly the same when I came in – any opportunity I got I wanted to win games for my team and play according to the situation and you have to take risks. He was brave under pressure. You need to reveal your game to realise who you are, what your game is and what kind of a player you are.”

With India still trying to figure out their middle-order puzzle, Kohli said Iyer could be a “strong contender and a regular feature in the middle order” if he continued to take responsibility like he did during this series.

“Both times he was batting with me, I’ve been around for a while, and he wasn’t intimidated at all, he was very confident, very sure of his game. I think that is great to see, hopefully he builds on to this and keeps performing like this for the team,” signed off Kohli.