‘How Could You Bench Him? He’s The First Indian…’: Shreyas Iyer’s Movie Night Revelation Raises Uncomfortable Query

Last Updated:February 07, 2025, 08:06 IST

Shreyas Iyer struck a quickfire fifty and later revealed he wasn’t presupposed to play in the primary ODI against England in Nagpur.

Shreyas Iyer struck 9 fours and two sixes. (BCCI Photo)

Shreyas Iyer produced an entertaining innings on his return to international cricket as he clobbered nine fours and two sixes in his 36-ball 59 to assist India beat England by 4 wickets in the primary ODI on Thursday. Iyer was batting with intent, almost as if he had a degree to prove, as he belted back-to-back sixes off England speedster Jofra Archer on the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

He walked in to bat when India were jolted after losing each their openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma – within the space of eight deliveries. The hosts were 19/2 in 5.2 overs when Iyer made his entry and when he exited, the scorecard read 113/3 in 16 overs.

Later, Iyer revealed how he wasn’t in India’s original playing XI for the competition and only made the cut after a spot opened up late within the night when Virat Kohli complained of a sore knee.

Iyer was watching a movie when captain Rohit gave him a call to tell him about his inclusion. The center-order batter then needed to cut short his movie night.

The revelation has raised some difficult questions for the Indian team management given Iyer’s past performances in ODIs, especially through the 2023 ODI World Cup when he scored 530 runs at a median of 66.25 and a strike-rate of 113.25.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra says he’s still not capable of understand the logic behind benching Iyer since Kohli anyway bats at no. 3 in ODIs.

“Attempting to wrap my head across the revelation that Iyer wasn’t more likely to play if Kohli was fit. He’s the primary Indian to attain 500+ runs batting at 4 in a World Cup. 2023. How could you bench him?? And if he wasn’t going to play, where was Kohli presupposed to bat? At 4? Surely, Gill wasn’t getting pushed to 4,” Chopra posted on X.

Attempting to wrap my head across the revelation that Iyer wasn’t more likely to play if Kohli was fit.He’s the primary Indian to attain 500+ runs batting at 4 in a World Cup. 2023. How could you bench him??And if he wasn’t going to play, where was Kohli presupposed to bat? At 4? Surely,…— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 6, 2025