'I Can Bat Anywhere': Shreyas Iyer Preaches Flexibility Ahead of NZ Clash
Indian captain Shreyas Iyer emphasizes flexibility in batting positions ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch.
As India prepares to take on New Zealand in the first T20I at Christchurch this Thursday, skipper Shreyas Iyer has sent a clear message to his squad: adaptability is the key to success. Leading the world champions into a high-stakes five-match series, Iyer emphasized that the team must remain fluid with their batting positions to meet the evolving demands of the game.
Flexibility Over Fixed Positions
Addressing reporters before the opening encounter, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper made it known that he does not have a preferred spot in the batting order. He believes that the situation on the field should dictate where a player fits in, rather than rigid roles.
"I feel that as per the demands and situations in a match, you have to be flexible according to that," Iyer stated. "I feel I can bat at any number. It depends on the situation."
When questioned about the possibility of moving up the order, Iyer admitted he doesn't see himself pushing for an opening slot. With the destructive pairing of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma likely to open, and Ishan Kishan—currently the world's number one T20I batter—holding the number three spot, the top order is already well-fortified.
A Crucial Series for the Skipper
This series arrives at a pivotal moment for Shreyas Iyer. While he holds the captaincy, his personal form has been a subject of discussion. Since taking the helm, he has amassed 590 runs in 21 innings, maintaining an average of 34.70 and a strike rate exceeding 152. His stats have been significantly bolstered by a maiden T20I century and a blistering unbeaten 80 against England.
However, consistency remains a challenge. After hitting a century against the West Indies—his first fifty-plus score in 11 innings—he followed it with a quick 40 in Ranchi, but then struggled with low scores of 1, 16, and 22.
The New Zealand Factor
Despite some recent inconsistency, history suggests that New Zealand is a favorable opponent for Iyer. His cross-format record against the Kiwis is impressive, with 1,098 runs in 28 matches at an average of 43.92, including three centuries. This includes his memorable 105 in the 2023 World Cup semifinal at Wankhede.
Furthermore, Iyer has a proven track record on New Zealand soil, scoring 512 international runs in 13 matches at a stellar average of 51.20. In T20Is specifically within New Zealand, he has scored 166 runs across seven innings, averaging 33.20.
India's T20I Squad for the Series:
- Shreyas Iyer [C]
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson [WK]
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Ishan Kishan [WK]
- Tilak Varma [VC]
- Axar Patel
- Shivam Dube
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Naman Dhir
- Prince Yadav
- Mayank Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav