Mumbai: Indian batter Shreyas Iyer has reflected on his remarkable return to international cricket, describing the past year as a “rollercoaster ride” that tested his focus, discipline, and determination.
After being left out of the BCCI Central Contract list last year, Iyer fought his way back into the national side, playing a key role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph. He finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer with 243 runs in five innings, averaging 48.60 with two half-centuries, including a top score of 79.
Receiving a memento at the CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards in Mumbai for his standout performances, Iyer recalled how he rebuilt his form and mindset by going back to domestic cricket. “Things were in shambles and everything felt helter-skelter at one point,” he said. “But I told myself to set a routine, stay disciplined, and play domestic cricket. I went back to Mumbai, played the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Performing in those tournaments helped me regain momentum and confidence.”
Iyer’s hard work paid off, as he returned to the ODI side with a strong showing against England scoring 181 runs in three matches at an average above 60 and a strike rate exceeding 120.
Talking about his approach to one-day cricket, the middle-order batter said he enjoys adapting to the situation and performing under pressure. “During the Champions Trophy, my focus was on building the innings ball by ball early on, then taking charge later. In Dubai, we felt 250–300 was a winning total, and my job was to get us there. With the bowling attack we had, we always believed we could defend or chase that target,” he said.
Addressing criticism about his struggles against short-pitched bowling, Iyer said he took it as motivation to improve. “For two years, people kept saying I couldn’t play a certain shot. When I came back, I wanted to prove them wrong. I worked on my game, practiced hard against quality fast bowlers, and the results showed. It’s all about repetition the more you face those deliveries, the more confident you become,” he added.
After a stellar year that also saw him captain Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title and help Mumbai lift both the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer is now preparing for India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia, starting October 19.
In 2025, the right-hander has scored 424 runs in eight ODIs at an impressive average of 53 and a strike rate of nearly 94, including four fifties a clear reflection of a player who has found his rhythm once again.
