India cricket team’s Shreyas Iyer revealed that he was initially not in the team’s plans to feature in IND vs ENG 1st ODI. The number 4 bater proved why he was the best in the business for the Men in Blue with a 59-run knock that set the tone for India’s run-chase in Nagpur. After the contest, Iyer revealed how Kohli had played a crucial role in his participation in the game.
How Iyer got a chance to play in IND vs ENG 1st ODI thanks to Kohli
As per The Indian Express, Shreyas revealed that he got an opportunity to feature in the playing XI for IND vs ENG 1st ODI since Virat was injured. He revealed that he wasn’t supposed to play on Thursday. However, Iyer said that he had kept himself prepared and recalled an instance from Asia Cup in 2024 when he was replaced in the last-minute.
“As you all know I wasn’t supposed to play today. Virat unfortunately got injured and then I got the opportunity. I kept myself prepared. I knew that at any point of time I can get a chance to play. The same thing happened with me last year as well during the Asia Cup. I got injured and someone else came in and scored a century,” Iyer said.
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Iyer revealed that he had gotten a call from skipper Rohit Sharma informing him that he would be playing because Kohli had suffered a swollen knee. He revealed that he had intended to watch a movie on the previous night but forced to go to bed after he was informed of his inclusion by the Hitman.
“I got a call from the skipper (Rohit Sharma) saying that you may play because Virat has got a swollen knee. I went back to my room and went off to sleep straight away,” Iyer added.
Kohli, who was expected to return to ODIs in Nagpur, had a problem in his right knee that he suffered a day before the match. He was seen warming-up with his right knee strapped just before the contest on Thursday.
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