Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar observed that the secret behind Shreyas Iyer’s success in the T20 series was his orthodox cricketing shots as he tried to play in the ‘V’ most of the time.
After winning the toss, India invited Sri Lanka to bat first and the visitors posted a good total of 183/5 in 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings from one end with a score of 53-ball 75 runs and at the end skipper, Dasun Shanaka gave them a good flourish as the visitors scored 72 runs in the last 4 overs. But it wasn’t proved enough for the hosts as Shreyas Iyer 74*(44) and Sanju Samson 39(25) laid the foundation for India and Jadeja took them home with a cameo of 18-ball 45.
Shreyas Iyer scored back-to-back fifties in the series
Sunil Gavaskar praised the Indian team as the backup players are grabbing opportunities with both hands.
“That is the beauty about this particular Indian team. There are so many options virtually for every single spot in the team. So anybody who gets an opportunity he knows he needs to grab it and cannot waste it. What Shreyas Iyer has shown in this innings is the cleverness of his batting.
“The way he was moving away when there was no deep third man and hitting the ball over, the way he was moving towards the offside and clipping the ball to the onside. That shows a batsman who is supremely confident of himself and the skill he possesses,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
He also lauded his ‘favourite’ player Sanju Samson who played a good cameo in the middle over which ensured that the required run rate never went up despite both openers getting out cheaply.
“Sanju Samson is one of my favourite players”- Sunil Gavaskar
“The difference between what you have and to make it happen is temperament and shot selection, in his case he is showing he can do. And also to see Sanju Samson do it because he is one of my favourite players. And to see him come good has been fantastic,” he added.
Gavaskar showered praises for Shreyas Iyer for his orthodox cricketing shots. His ability to hit in the ‘V’ region got special attention from the legendary batsman.
“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 less chances of being caught because fielders are on the either side of the sightscreen.
“So basically, play as straight as possible and even if the ball does anything it will have a inside or outside edge. Iyer was playing with the full face of the bat as much as possible except the odd occasions. He was unbelievable. It was more like a Djokovic or a Federer forehand,” said Sunil Gavaskar.
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