New Zealand cricket stalwart Kane Williamson has lauded Indian middle-order batsman and Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for his consistent improvement and ability to adapt to challenges, particularly his enhanced skill in facing short-pitched deliveries. Speaking after Iyer's commanding performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, Williamson highlighted the Indian batter’s transformation as a complete player.

Iyer played a match-winning knock of 97 not out off just 42 deliveries, smashing nine sixes and five fours, and anchoring his team to victory. As per agency report, Williamson, speaking to Jio Star, expressed admiration for Iyer’s growth, noting that while the batsman was once targeted for his vulnerability against short balls, he has now adapted remarkably well. He observed that Iyer has developed the ability to shift his weight onto the front foot swiftly, allowing him to deal with bouncers more effectively.

Williamson explained that this skill has made it increasingly difficult for bowlers to unsettle Iyer by alternating between short and full-length deliveries. He emphasized that Iyer's ability to hit shots to all parts of the ground has made him a formidable and complete batsman in the shorter format of the game.

He also described Iyer’s unbeaten 97-run innings against Gujarat Titans as exceptional, calling it a high-quality performance. Williamson noted that Iyer took control from the very first ball and executed his shots precisely where he intended, reflecting confidence and command throughout the innings.

Indore, Sep 25 (IANS) Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer made a resounding statement about his ODI credentials ahead of the World Cup by top-scoring with 105, his first century of the year and third in the format, to set the base for India’s 99-run win over Australia via DLS method at Holkar Stadium.

Iyer, who was out of action due to back surgery and saw his Asia Cup stint being cut short by back spasms, brushed aside question marks over his form and fitness by making a sparkling 105 off 90 balls, with the help of 11 fours and three sixes, fetching him Player of the Match award too.

Talking about his knock, Iyer said he kept telling himself that he has to step up with the competition being against him, owing to the happenings in the last few months on the fitness front and seeing other contenders like KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan boost their credentials with match-winning knocks.

"I keep telling myself competition is against me. It is about the mindset that how I maintain it, especially when the chips are down. I was waiting for this opportunity and thankfully I got to score a century.”

“My mind was fluctuating at times, but I was trying to stay away from the outside noise as much as possible. As they say, ignorance is bliss, so taking one step at a time and staying in the present and not thinking much about what happened and what will happen in the future," said Iyer in post-match press conference.

Iyer trusted the attacking route on a flat pitch, reaching his fifty in 41 balls by smashing a stand-and-deliver six over long-off against Johnson. He got his third ODI century in 86 balls, with the roar in delight showcasing his happiness, as the crowd stood up to applaud a great knock.

“It was definitely a roller coaster ride. I would like to thank myself to be honest to believing in my abilities and mindset at that point of time. I was feeling a bit lonely at that point of time, but thanks to my physios, my trainers, my family for backing me. I am grateful to have them around. All these people around helped me to lift my spirits and stay positive at the same time. So, thankful and grateful at the same time,” he added.

Iyer and Shubman Gill put on a partnership of 200 in only 164 balls for the second wicket, as both batters made hundreds to play leading roles in the run-fest on a flat pitch with small ground dimensions.

"It was one of my finest innings, especially coming out of an injury. I was eagerly waiting to come back and perform for the team. Yes, Shubman Gill is in tremendous form lately and the way he is converting his starts, that is simply phenomenal.”

“I am happy as a team-mate as going forward in the World Cup, we would be needing such starts and he is in a great mind space, the routines that he has been maintaining throughout travelling and recovery, it’s been terrific to see," he said.

With main players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Koli set to return for the final ODI in Rajkot on September 27, Iyer signed off by saying he’s ready to bat anywhere the team management asks him to do so.

“See the management hasn’t told me that I would be batting at this particular number, I’m flexible at whatever number I would be getting to bat. Whatever the team requires at that point of time, if I have to go lower down the order I’m up for that, if I have to go up the order same.”

“But see, there’s competition and that’s the best part about being in the team. You come and represent the Indian team, you know that there would be challenges and as a professional I can’t be complaining about that. All I can say is that I would embrace the opportunity that I would be getting in the future and see to it that I’ll leave no stone unturned in my preparation.”

Mumbai - India's middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a recurrence of lower back injury during the Ahmedabad Test against Australia, is doubtful for participation in at least the first half of 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

A report by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday said Iyer, who was pulled out mid-way from India's fourth Test against Australia at Ahmedabad, has opted out of surgery for injury and has been advised to rest as he continues his rehab. Iyer had missed the ODIs against New Zealand as well as the first Test against Australia due to the injury.

Though he did play in the second and third Tests against Australia, Iyer suffered a relapse of the lower back injury after day three's play and was taken for scans. It meant he did not come out to bat in India's only innings of the drawn Test match and was subsequently ruled out of ODIs against Australia.

The report also said Iyer experienced discomfort in back just after the tour of Bangladesh ended last year in December. "Iyer's issues, it is learned, concern a bulge in one of the discs in his spine, which has resulted in an impinged nerve."

"The nerve runs along the right leg and has caused shooting pain in Iyer's calf, which is compounded by mobility issues. It is understood that Iyer has been given six injections in the recent past to help numb the pain in his back," it added.

The report further said Iyer consulted a spine surgeon in Mumbai and was presented with two options: first was to take rest, rehab and wait for the pain to subside before resuming strength and conditioning as well as mobility exercises, followed by the second option being surgery.

"It is understood that the BCCI medical staff even consulted a London-based specialist, who had carried out Hardik Pandya's back surgery, for a second opinion. The London expert, too, advised to stick the first option."

"Iyer has told the BCCI medical staff that he wants to explore options before taking the final call on surgery. He has also received full support from the Knight Riders management who helped him consult an Ayurveda specialist for a non-intrusive alternative medicine," added the report.

Kolkata Knight Riders are the two-time IPL champions of which Iyer is captain. "It is understood that there is no definitive date of return earmarked for Iyer, who will continue to be supervised by the BCCI's medical staff at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru through the near future. Knight Riders, though, have not given up hope, and expect their captain to be back before the halfway stage of the IPL," further said the report.

In the absence of Iyer, Knight Riders will need a new captain at helm, especially with their first match of the tournament to be held on April 1, against Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings in Mohali.

The report said Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana are understood to be among the frontrunners for the leadership role. Narine had led Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, but the side finished at the bottom of the six-team tournament. Rana has captained Delhi in 12 T20s in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with his captaincy record being of eight wins and four defeats.

"But Knight Riders are deliberating hard on who could be a better choice as an overall package: man-manger, good communicator, leading team-mates and getting the best out of them under pressure in a match situation," it concluded.

Ahmedabad: Shreyas Iyer did not walk out to bat on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth and final Test of the Borde-Gavaskar Trophy as the Indian middle-order batter complained of pain in his lower back.

As per reports, Iyer has been taken for a scan and the BCCI medical team is monitoring him. However, it is unsure whether he will be able to bat in India's first innings.

It is concerning to hear that Shreyas Iyer is experiencing lower back pain and has undergone a scan to determine the cause of his discomfort. It is important for the BCCI medical team to closely monitor his condition to ensure that he receives the appropriate treatment and care.

Lower back pain is a common complaint among athletes, particularly those who engage in activities that place stress on the lower back, such as cricket. Depending on the severity of Iyer's condition, he may need to rest and undergo rehabilitation before returning to the game.

We hope that Iyer's condition is not serious and that he will be able to recover quickly and return to the game soon.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer may get a chance to play in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia, which is scheduled to start on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, but only if his body is ready to take the load of a five-day Test match.

Iyer joined the Indian Test squad after recovering from a back injury that kept him out of the ODI series against New Zealand in January. However, he was not able to join the squad for the first Test, which India won by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur.

Suryakumar Yadav replaced Iyer and made his Test debut but only managed to score eight runs. Dravid praised the all-round performances in the first Test, particularly the efforts of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

India's lower-middle order showed their ability to bail the side out of tough situations in Nagpur, and Dravid believes that they need to maintain the balance between defence and attack in the upcoming Test match.

Dravid stated that they would take a call on Iyer's inclusion after assessing his fitness levels over the next couple of days. "If he's ready to take the load of a five-day Test match, his performance without a doubt means he will walk straight into the side," he said.

The Indian team will be hoping to carry on their winning momentum and clinch the series by winning the second Test match against Australia.