India’s Champions Trophy 2025 title-winning campaign saw significant contributions from every player who played throughout the tournament. There wasn’t any singular standout, with each player contributing well of their respective departments. Nevertheless, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif decided to make clear an unsung hero of India’s triumphant team. While superstar names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a key role, India’s top run-scorer of the tournament was No. 4 batter Shreyas Iyer. Kaif heaped praise on the 30-year-old.
Kaif revealed his admiration for Shreyas given the indisputable fact that he’s neither a part of the T20I nor Test squads, and subsequently, has added pressure to perform immediately when picked for one format alone.
“I used to be surprised by his form. He neither plays Tests, neither is he within the T20I squad. He plays only ODIs for India. So that you are usually not there within the team repeatedly. You will have to straightaway play for India after playing within the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, and in a zone where you’ve to attack, hit boundaries, and play your natural game,” Kaif elaborated, speaking on Star Sports regarding Shreyas’ form.
Shreyas smashed 243 runs in five games within the Champions Trophy 2025. He scored greater than 40 in each of India’s last 4 games, including half-centuries against Pakistan and Recent Zealand within the group stage.
Shreyas’ great form with the bat follows on from the 2023 ODI World Cup where he smashed 530 runs in 11 games. In Shreyas, India have found a reliable and consistent No. 4 batter in ODI cricket for the primary time in a few years.
“I love him because many players got here and went on the No. 4 position. We weren’t getting players for the No. 4 position. This guy got here and made his place, and played impactful knocks,” Kaif stated.
“He is that this tournament’s second-highest run-getter, but he didn’t get a single Man of the Match,” Kaif added.
Shreyas’ impactful contributions in nearly every game meant that he was a contender to win the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award for the Champions Trophy 2025. Nevertheless, Recent Zealand star Rachin Ravindra was ultimately chosen for that accolade.
Shreyas, nevertheless, joined in on India’s celebrations in style. With Virat Kohli not selecting to recreate his ‘Gangnam style’ dance moves from the 2013 edition, Shreyas took upon the responsibility so as to add flavour to India’s jubilation, coming up together with his own dance moves as India gathered with the trophy.
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