Shreyas Iyer further gave a boost to his reputation as a clinical finisher by scoring a sublime 29-ball-58 as India started their 5-match T20I sojourn in New Zealand with a six-wicket victory on Friday.
Chasing a 200+ score, Iyer held the fort after KL Rahul (56 off 27 balls) and Virat Kohli (45 off 32 balls) had given the blazing start. The Men in Blue ultimately chased the total with an over to spare.
Indian bowlers also deserve credit here, having limited the hosts to just 203, especially considering the Eden Park stadium’s dimensions.
Earlier in the day, opener Colin Munro and skipper Kane Williamson had hit quick-fire half-tons to help New Zealand to 203/5.
Wow, what a finish! Shreyas Iyer has played innings of the match to take India from a sort of crisis to commanding victory
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 24, 2020
In the second innings, the visitors lost Rohit Sharma (7) early after the opener tried to play get past spinner Mitchell Santner (1/50).
However, Rahul and Kohli ensured that the team was in a commanding position of the chase by putting a partnership of 80-run coming off just 47 balls laced with four sixes and seven fours as NZ struggled to contain the runs.
The Men in Blue crossed 100 in the ninth over courtesy of the duo’s partnership. However, they had their own good luck to thank for as well.
Rahul survived a sure-shot run out twice after NZ failed to hit the stumps while Ish Sodhi was unable to get a hold of a sitter off Kohli.
However, once the two were back in the dressing room, India’s middle-order was up to the task to finish the chase.
Shreyas Iyer first joined forces with Shivam Dube and then with Manish Pandey to score the remainder of the 80 runs with an over to spare.
Twitter Reaction
When life gives you Iyer, make him Shreyas not Mani Shankar.#NZvsIND #NZvIND #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/lGQfByr9XO
— Siju Moothedath (@SijuMoothedath) January 24, 2020
0% Jet Lag ?
100% Swag ?Just how good was Shreyas Iyer in that blistering run chase today?#INDvNZ #ThisIsNewDelhi #DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/934OVSBTto
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 24, 2020
Rishabh Pant after watching performance of KL Rahul and #ShreyasIyer in today's match – pic.twitter.com/yccOZEQGit
— Dang! (@dangwitty) January 24, 2020
Reaction of Team India Supporters during batting of Shreyas Iyer ?? #NZvsInd #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/fLdx0V9eQQ
— ॐ Anmol अनमोल ?? (@OriginalAnmol) January 24, 2020
How many of u became fans of his batting today… I think i was first one in that list.. #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/buIJise89A
— Pavan Chaitanya (@Pavan4947) January 24, 2020
Excellent chase India! KL Rahul and Virat Kohli scored well but Shreyas Iyer was excellent with his hitting and choices of shot. A chase of over 200 in 19 overs deserves a lot of credit.
Well played @ShreyasIyer15
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 24, 2020
Colin Munro – 59 (42)
Kane Williamson – 51 (26)
Ross Taylor – 54* (27)
KL Rahul – 56 (27)
Shreyas Iyer – 58* (29)This is the first-ever match in the history of T20I cricket where five different players scored 50+ runs. #NZvIND
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 24, 2020
What a blinder from #ShreyasIyer! Pure talent. Way to go boy! Superb chase. #NZvsIND
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 24, 2020
Shreyas Iyer stars with a 29-ball 58* as ?? chase 204 with an over to spare ?#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #NZvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/maqQm8RRZ8
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 24, 2020
Done and dusted. INDIA win. Shreyas Iyer 58*(29) you beauty. INDIA ?#NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/Gudak4eE9P
— Sir Jadeja Fan (@SirrrJadeja) January 24, 2020
Shreyas Iyer's knock is a good example of how having a proper number four batsman (and giving him exposure in that situation) helps. #NZvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 24, 2020
