The greater the interval between your errors, the higher your chances of achieving success in the realm of sports. There are no second chances, and if you continue to falter in the same manner, there will always be someone prepared to take your place.

Shreyas Iyer is well aware of this sentiment. He relinquished his position in the Test squad to Sarfaraz Khan and is actively seeking a return. Additionally, a back injury coupled with a vulnerability to the short ball has raised doubts about his spot in the ODI team.

However, now that the right-handed batsman from Mumbai is scoring runs consistently, he is gradually conveying a message to his opponents — the short ball no longer poses a challenge. His recent ODI innings of 59, 44, 78, 15, and 56 serve as ample evidence. While his perceived weakness was exploited, he opted for a counter-offensive approach.

It is a fact that a well-executed short ball can trouble most batsmen. Nevertheless, Iyer recognized that addressing this specific weakness is distinct from refining off-stump techniques. An inadequately prepared batsman is at significant risk of injury.

Losing his central contract at the beginning of the year, though unwelcome, provided Iyer with the opportunity to collaborate with his long-time personal coach, Pravin Amre. The two worked closely during the last Ranji season, with the former Indian player, based in Mumbai, always just a phone call away. Iyer understood that while he would find opportunities in the IPL, revitalizing his international career was the primary objective.

“When your skills improve, your mental resilience follows. Without the necessary skills, no amount of mental toughness will suffice,” Amre remarked, emphasizing that overcoming the short ball is largely a mental challenge.

Experts have noted that Iyer is now utilizing the depth of the crease more effectively when facing the short ball. He has adjusted his stance slightly and ensured that his front foot is straighter when executing pulls, avoiding retreating from bouncers.

“It ultimately hinges on achieving better positioning,” Amre stated. “Once that is established, the reaction becomes instinctive.”

Sweeps and reverse sweeps

In Dubai, where India competes in all its Champions Trophy matches, various challenges arise. One significant issue is the difficulty of scoring quickly on slower pitches. Following Iyer's impressive performance against spin during the 2023 ODI World Cup, it was clear that he would not be presented with easy deliveries.

Pakistan's enigmatic spinner, Abrar Ahmed, employed a range of techniques while maintaining a consistent line. As a result, the typically fluent Iyer found himself scoring only 17 runs off 34 balls while playing cautiously against him.

It was at this juncture that Iyer opted for the reverse sweep against Khushdil Shah’s left-arm spin. The spinner responded by attempting to increase the pace to conclude the over, but Iyer was prepared, executing a conventional sweep to secure another boundary.

“Executing sweeps and reverse sweeps is not straightforward for me,” Iyer remarked after the match against Pakistan. “However, rotating the strike is crucial moving forward, as it exerts considerable pressure on the bowlers. They are compelled to adjust their lines and lengths, and by consistently taking singles, one can eventually capitalize on loose deliveries. When you seize those opportunities and score boundaries, the bowlers feel the pressure, allowing the scoreboard to keep ticking.”

This approach has been instrumental for top players like Virat Kohli in accumulating runs. It is a strategy that every Indian batter, including Gill and Iyer, who bats alongside Kohli, aims to perfect.

Iyer had previously been assertive against spin in the last World Cup, showcasing nimble footwork to hit straight sixes on predominantly batting-friendly pitches. However, hitting boundaries has proven more challenging in the current context, prompting Iyer to adapt his play to exploit the field. As Amre noted, achieving this requires a certain level of skill.

Initially, Iyer was not guaranteed a spot in the Champions Trophy lineup. A fortunate opportunity arose during the Nagpur ODI, with Kohli unavailable, which he described as “a blessing,” and since then, he has not looked back. Now, it is time for him to transform his promising starts into significant innings that will leave a lasting impact.

Read Also: AUS vs SA Cut Short by Rain, Both Teams Secure a Point in Champions Trophy 2025

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