XtraTime Web Desk: Indian skipper Virat Kohli praised Indian youngster Shreyas Iyer after playing well against West Indies. He batted well in the tough situations.
The 24-year-old Iyer
played a big role in India’s 2-0 series win against the West Indies as he gave
able support to captain Virat Kohli who excelled as usual with back-to-back
centuries.
Kohli and Iyer had partnerships of 125 and 120
in the second and third ODIs, respectively, under tricky situations.
In the third ODI, Iyer came out when India were
in a spot of bother at 91/3 in the 13th over while chasing a revised target of
255 from 35 overs. His counter-attacking 65 from 41 balls took the pressure off
Kohli, who remained not out on 114 and changed the complexion of the game.
“I am very happy. I want to come out to bat
in this kind of tough situation when everybody in the dressing room is nervous.
I love it because the (complexion of the) match can change and anything can
happen,” Iyer told Chahal in an interview after the third ODI on
Wednesday.
At the post-match press-conference, an impressed
Kohli said Iyer could be a “regular feature in the middle order” if
he continues taking responsibility like he did during this three-match series,
which India won 2-0.
“He (Iyer) was not intimidated at all, he
was very confident, very sure of his game. At no stage he looked like getting
out. He has suddenly presented a role for himself, playing according to the
situation. Hopefully, he keeps performing like this for the team…He can be a
strong contender and a regular feature in the middle order,” Kohli said.
Iyer hit five sixes during his 41-ball knock,
two each off the bowling of Roston Chase and Fabian Allen and one off Carlos
Brathwaite; and he joked he was taking “revenge” of Chahal being hit
for runs by Nicholas Pooran during the West Indies innings.
“I have to take revenge for our bowlers being hit. He (Pooran) is a fine batsman; but since Chahal has been hit, I was angry and so had to take revenge,” Iyer joked.
Asked by Chahal what he had during the breakfast
before the match, Iyer said, “I did (my) routine and had my breakfast. I
ate three eggs.”