Former BCCI chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar commended Shreyas Iyer for his performance in the Champions Trophy but expressed dissatisfaction regarding his dismissal in the final, noting that he did not bat until the conclusion of the match. Iyer played a crucial role in India's remarkable tournament run, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 243 runs across five matches, averaging 48.60. At 30 years old, he served as a stabilizing force in the Indian batting lineup, often rescuing the team with his composed batting during the middle overs.

In the Champions Trophy final, Iyer scored 48 runs, helping to steady the Indian innings after the early departures of key players Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. However, he was unable to reach his fifty and was dismissed by Mitchell Santner when India still required 69 runs for victory. Vengsarkar believed that Iyer should have remained at the crease until the end.

“Iyer performed admirably, but I am not pleased with how he got out in the final. He should have batted through to the end and finished the match. Nonetheless, I am glad to see him realizing his potential,” Vengsarkar stated to PTI.

The seasoned cricketer also expressed admiration for KL Rahul's contributions in the lower-middle order. Rahul was chosen over the explosive Rishabh Pant for the number 6 position and met the expectations of both the head coach and captain, delivering vital performances in the semifinal and final to secure victories for India. Despite being moved down to number 6 behind all-rounder Axar Patel, he maintained his confidence and demonstrated his commitment to the team by fulfilling whatever role was required of him.

In the final, Rahul remained not out with 34 runs off 33 balls, and his presence in the middle allowed other batsmen to play their shots more freely.

‘Not convinced Axar Patel batting ahead of KL Rahul’

Vengsarkar maintains that Rahul ought to occupy the number five position ahead of Axar Patel. He indicated that the management's choice may have been influenced by the desire to maintain a left-hand-right-hand batting combination.

While KL has contributed significantly while batting at number six, I remain unconvinced about Axar Patel being placed ahead of him at number five. The rationale for this decision could solely be the left-hand-right-hand combination, he remarked.

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