Shreyas Iyer delivered a mature and highly influential innings in the ODI series opener against South Africa, scoring a well-crafted 97 off 104 balls to anchor India’s batting effort. Falling just three runs short of a century, Iyer’s knock was nonetheless the backbone of India’s total of 289 and played a decisive role in setting up the eventual 42-run victory.
India’s innings required stability after the early phase, and Iyer provided exactly that. Walking in with the responsibility of holding the middle order together, he resisted the temptation to play expansive shots too early. Instead, he focused on strike rotation, soft hands, and precise placement, ensuring India kept the scoreboard ticking without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. His calm presence immediately brought control to the innings.
What stood out was Iyer’s ability to pace himself according to the situation. During the middle overs, when South Africa attempted to slow the scoring with disciplined lines and field placements, Iyer adapted intelligently. He worked the ball into gaps, collected singles with ease, and punished anything marginally loose. Against spin, he was particularly effective, using his feet selectively and trusting his timing rather than brute force.
As the innings progressed, Iyer gradually shifted gears. Having built a solid base, he began to target boundary options with greater intent, mixing elegant drives with controlled pulls and sweeps. His acceleration was calculated, ensuring India were set up for a strong finish without the risk of a collapse. Partnerships around him flourished because of his clarity and communication, allowing other batters to play their natural games.
Despite nearing his hundred, Iyer never appeared distracted by the milestone. His dismissal in the late stages, just three runs short of a century, may have disappointed him personally, but by then his job was largely done. India had a platform, momentum, and wickets in hand — all made possible by his anchoring role.
The value of Iyer’s 97 became even clearer during South Africa’s chase. With a target of 289 on the board, India’s bowlers had room to apply pressure, knowing they had a competitive total behind them. Without Iyer’s innings, India might have been left short of a par score, especially given the disciplined spells South Africa produced at various stages.
From a broader perspective, this knock reinforced Iyer’s importance in India’s ODI setup. Often viewed as a middle-order stabiliser rather than a headline-maker, he once again showed his ability to absorb pressure, rebuild innings, and then accelerate when required. In modern ODI cricket, such innings are invaluable — not flashy, but match-defining.
Missing out on a century will sting, but this 97 was a statement performance. It showcased temperament, tactical awareness, and consistency — qualities that matter far more than round numbers. For India, it was the kind of innings that wins matches and series, setting the tone early and allowing the team to operate from a position of strength.
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