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The ODI World Cup 2023 has been an exhilarating journey for cricket enthusiasts worldwide, and the one participating nation that has completely stood out in the event so far is none other than India. The Men in Blue have delivered a truly spectacular performance, underlined by their recent triumph over Bangladesh in the 17th match of the competition.
India’s recent victory over Bangladesh further solidified their status as the favourites to clinch the championship, as their winning streak now stands at an impressive four consecutive wins, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
While most of the players have excelled in India’s dream start, a critical eye has turned towards Shreyas Iyer, who failed to capitalize on several opportunities and attracted criticism from many for his approach. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also didn’t mince words in his criticism of Iyer, urging him to learn from the patience and tenacity displayed by Virat Kohli.
Shreyas Iyer’s missed opportunities
Iyer’s performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has been a mixed bag. While he managed to score a crucial half-century against Afghanistan, he squandered opportunities in other games. On multiple occasions, the stage was set for Iyer to make a significant impact, but he found himself walking back to the pavilion without making a substantial contribution.
The most recent instance occurred in the match against Bangladesh, where India was in a promising position, and Iyer had the chance to convert his start into a match-winning performance. Unfortunately, he failed to capitalize on this opportunity as well, leaving fans and pundits disappointed.
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Sunil Gavaskar’s critique
Following the match against Bangladesh, Gavaskar, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers didn’t hold back in his assessment of Iyer’s performance. Gavaskar used strong words to express his disappointment, emphasizing the importance of patience and determination in a batter’s approach. He contrasted Iyer’s impatience with the resilience and composure displayed by Virat Kohli.
“He (Shreyas Iyer) lost his patience. He was batting on 19, threw his wicket away. Shubman Gill (was batting on) fifty (52), threw his wicket away. Kohli never does that. Kohli will seldom ever throw his wicket away. He makes you earn his wicket. And that is exactly what you need. When he got to 70-80, realizing that he has an opportunity to get to a hundred and why not? Hundreds don’t come every day,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports.
“You need to know how to get to a hundred, and it’s important for Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Shubman Gill is at least getting hundreds, Shreyas Iyer is not getting hundreds. He is getting his opportunities to bat at number 4 on pitches as good as these and attacks as toothless as this, and he is throwing away the opportunity,” he added.
