Okay, so who was Team India’s most crucial performer in the Champions Trophy 2025? Some would say skipper Rohit Sharma with his ton and then 76 in the CT 2025 final against New Zealand. Other would side with Virat Kohli, who scored a ton in the league stages too, and then followed that up with 84 in the semis vs Australia. Or even, Varun Chakravarthy, who returned with 9 wickets in three matches.
Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma’s Silent Hero
Well, think again.. As per the skipper – Rohit, there was a silent performer in the team, who just stepped up every time Team India was in trouble. It was none other than Shreyas Iyer, who finished with 243 runs in 5 matches, most for India in the tournament, and slammed couple of fifties too.
He scored a good 48 vs NZ in the final, where the team was reduced to 122/3. He came up with a 61-run partnership with Axar Patel, that set the tone for the chase. “Shreyas Iyer was the silent hero for us. He was very crucial in the middle order. Even when I got out today, he played a crucial innings and made a partnership with Axar,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference.
“Love to Bat Under Pressure”
In fact, Shreyas Iyer also admitted after the match, that he loves batting under pressure. “To be honest, I love to bat under pressure. I thrive under pressure, and I really, really like that challenge. I always want to get a big one, but if you can contribute enough for your Team and it leads up to a victory, that’s more than enough for me. I am truly happy,” he said.
Total Turnaround by Iyer
Now, let’s just go back to late 2023, and early 2024. India had lost the World Cup final, Iyer had good performances.. but then Shreyas Iyer was not included in the BCCI Central Contract list. He was punished for not turning up for domestic games, and many questioned his back injury, and some also touted it as fake.
Cut to, a few months later, he is the Champions Trophy holder, and also Rohit & Team India’s silent hero. If fresh reports are to be believed, he will be back in the Central Contracts, which are due to be announced anytime soon.
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