India achieved a remarkable victory in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, successfully pursuing a target of 254 runs against New Zealand, thereby securing their first ODI trophy since 2013. The Indian team's campaign was characterized by dominance, as they won five consecutive matches, showcasing exceptional performances throughout.

A standout player for India during the tournament was Shreyas Iyer, who emerged as the team's leading run-scorer with a total of 243 runs at an average of 48.50. Iyer's top score of 79 exemplified his remarkable consistency in the middle order, establishing a benchmark for the role of a number four batsman in ODIs.

Iyer's reliability and performance did not go unnoticed by the senior members of the team, with captain Rohit Sharma acknowledging his contributions and emphasizing his importance throughout the tournament held in Dubai.

“Shreyas Iyer was the silent hero for us. He was very crucial in the middle order. Even when I got out today, he played a crucial innings and made a partnership with Axar,” Rohit stated during his press conference.

In the final against New Zealand, Iyer contributed 48 runs, stabilizing the innings and preventing any potential collapse after a strong start. He had previously played a similar role by scoring a half-century in the chase against Pakistan and also in the semifinal against Australia, rescuing India from a precarious position of 30-3 against New Zealand in the group stages.

“He stitched the partnerships with all the batters who were batting with him. That semi-final against Australia with him and Virat at that point was very important,” Rohit remarked, acknowledging his domestic and international teammate's efforts.

Iyer reflects on clutch performances

Iyer's performance in the tournament reflects his impressive form in ODI cricket, establishing him as an indispensable player in the middle order. This comes despite his previous status as a marginal figure during the bilateral series against England before the tournament. Iyer has now delivered two outstanding ODI tournaments consecutively, with an IPL championship title as captain of KKR occurring in between.

In a post-match on-field interview, the 30-year-old expressed his enjoyment of high-pressure batting situations. 

"Honestly, I relish batting under pressure. It is in these moments that I truly excel, and I find that challenge invigorating," Iyer stated. "While I always aim to score big, contributing significantly to my team's success and securing a victory is what truly matters to me."

Iyer is set to return as the captain of the Punjab Kings, aiming to justify his status as one of the most expensive players in IPL history, now adorned with his first ICC winner's medal.

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