Ponting Thrilled to See Iyer Return to Indian Squad Before Champions Trophy

Synopsis

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed joy over Shreyas Iyer's return to India's ODI squad for the series against England in Nagpur. Iyer made a notable impact with a score of 59 runs, reinforcing his position ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Key Takeaways

Ricky Ponting is excited about Shreyas Iyer's return.
Iyer scored 59 runs off 36 balls against England.
He plays a key role in India's middle order.
Iyer had a successful ODI World Cup in 2023.
Ponting invested heavily in Iyer during the IPL auction.

Dubai, Feb 7 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed his excitement over Shreyas Iyer's long-awaited comeback to India's ODI lineup in the series opener against England in Nagpur on Thursday.

Iyer not only seized this opportunity but also showcased his aggressive style and fearless mindset. After nearly five months away from the national team, Iyer resumed play impressively, scoring 59 runs off 36 balls with nine fours and two sixes. He maintained a strike rate of 163.88, dismantling the English bowlers as India clinched victory by four wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

With the Champions Trophy approaching, Iyer is making a compelling argument for his position in the middle order. He played a pivotal role in India's journey to the final during the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2023, accumulating 530 runs throughout the tournament.

"He possesses the skill set necessary for success in white-ball cricket, particularly in that region of the world," Ponting remarked about Iyer on The ICC Review.

"On those slower, lower pitches, he excels. We all know how proficient he is against spin, and while teams often avoid bowling spin in India, it will inevitably come into play at some point.

"If Shreyas is at the crease, he's as effective as anyone. Therefore, I’m genuinely pleased to see him back in the team."

Ponting has been a long-time admirer of Iyer, a fact that was evident during the latest IPL auction when the new Punjab Kings coach invested Rs 26.75 crore to secure Iyer's services starting from the 2025 season.

The Australian legend’s confidence in Iyer was reaffirmed as Iyer displayed flashes of his peak form at the domestic level, scoring two centuries for Mumbai around the new year.

"I was somewhat surprised that he was out of the Indian team in recent years," Ponting noted. "He had an outstanding World Cup in India, performing excellently in the middle order, and I believed he had solidified his place. After suffering a couple of injuries, particularly to his back, he was sidelined. However, his domestic season this year has been remarkable, aligning with his performance since the IPL auction, where he has been nothing short of impressive," he concluded.