Shreyas Iyer Expresses Elation After Winning First ICC Title
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Synopsis
Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer expressed immense joy after contributing to India's victory in the Champions Trophy. He scored 48 runs in the final against New Zealand, helping India secure their third title. Iyer ended the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer, marking his first ICC trophy win.
Key Takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy win.
- He scored 48 runs in the final against New Zealand.
- Iyer finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
- This victory is India's third Champions Trophy title.
- It marks Iyer's first ICC title achievement.
Dubai, March 9 (NationPress) Indian batter Shreyas Iyer was absolutely thrilled after contributing a fighting 48-run performance, leading India to secure their third Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final held here on Sunday. Iyer finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer with a total of 241 runs in five matches, only behind Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand. This victory marks the right-handed top-order batter's very first ICC title.
"I am over the moon, to be honest. It is quite challenging to express this feeling in words. This being my first ICC Trophy, I am genuinely overwhelmed. Kudos to everyone in the dressing room for their fantastic contributions throughout this tournament. It was simply outstanding.
“I genuinely enjoy batting under pressure. I thrive in challenging situations, and I really embrace that. I always aim to score big, but contributing enough to secure a victory for the team is what truly matters to me. I am genuinely happy."
While Iyer scored 48 runs off 62 balls, it was KL Rahul who maintained his composure, finishing with 34 not out off 33 balls to ensure India's third Champions Trophy title, following victories in 2002 and 2013. This win also marks India’s second ICC trophy in just 12 months after their T20 World Cup success last June.
The triumph in Dubai has established India as the most successful team in Champions Trophy history, celebrated in front of a stadium predominantly filled with Indian supporters. This victory serves as a comforting remedy for the Indian team and its passionate fans after falling short in the 2023 ODI World Cup held on home soil.
Rahul acknowledged the intense pressure he felt during the final moments but managed to keep his composure.
“I don’t think I can express this on camera, but I was extremely nervous. We had a few batters left, but I was tense. It’s crucial to maintain calmness in such situations. I believe I’ve faced similar pressure in three out of five games in this tournament, and in one match, I didn’t get to bat at all against Pakistan.
“It’s difficult to articulate, but it’s all about skill and the way we've developed our cricketing abilities over the years, facing numerous challenges and pressures since we picked up a bat and chose to become professional cricketers. The support from the BCCI and the domestic circuit has equipped us to handle pressure and perform well in these moments,” stated KL Rahul.
