Shreyas Iyer shows resilience against short balls in Ranji Trophy match

India‘s cricketer Shreyas Iyer displayed remarkable resilience against a barrage of short balls during Mumbai‘s Ranji Trophy match against Andhra at the MCA-BKC ground. As the next batter in Mumbai’s order, it was crucial for Iyer to showcase his form after his struggles in South Africa and his omission from the T20I squad for India’s ongoing series against Afghanistan.

Even during the pre-match training session, Shreyas Iyer had spent extra time practicing against short balls thrown by the batting coach and a side-arm specialist. His dedication paid off as he confidently faced Andhra’s consistent bowling attack without any trouble.

Andhra, known for their strategy of testing opponents with short balls, did not shy away from employing the same against Iyer. However, he handled it with ease and countered their Plan A effectively. With calculated footwork and precise timing, he managed to score boundaries off short balls and stayed in control throughout his innings.

Despite Andhra’s attempts to test Iyer’s patience by packing the leg-side field to restrict his scoring options, he adapted by playing more cautiously and shoulder arms to deliveries outside the off-stump. However, a momentary lapse in concentration led to his dismissal as he chased a wide delivery and was caught behind by the wicketkeeper.

Mumbai ended the day at 281 for 6, with Shreyas Iyer contributing 48 runs to the team’s total. The top-order batsmen could have performed better, but the middle-order partnership between Iyer and Suved Parkar helped stabilize the innings. Overall, Shreyas Iyer’s resilience against the short balls showcased his determination to regain his form and secure a spot in the Indian Test team.