Shreyas Iyer hopeful of India’s strong comeback in second ODI
India’s losing streak against the Kiwis in the 50-over format was extended after the hosts hammered the Men in Blue in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer reckoned it was a learning curve, and the team will make a strong comeback in the next game.
The visitors made a commanding start to the game on the back of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill’s terrific opening stand. However, a flurry of wickets pegged them back in the middle overs. Shreyas Iyer, who had a fruitless outing in the T20I series, held the innings together with a combative 80, continuing his prolific run in ODIs.
Iyer feels the team did a commendable job by posting a competitive total on the board. He suggested that there is no need to panic as it is hard for some of the players to adjust to the antipodean condition straightaway coming from India.
“The situation we were in and from there to reach 307 is a commendable total. Definitely, some things didn’t go our way today, but it’s a learning curve, we can introspect and come back with new ideas in the next game. It’s not easy to directly come from India and play here. Wickets keep on changing in every place, and this is a challenge that you need to face. You have to be mentally strong, just have to adapt to the situations,” he said in the post-match press conference.
Latham and Williamson knew which bowlers to target at a specific time: Shreyas Iyer
New Zealand were in a spot of bother after losing three of their top-order batters inside the first 20 overs. But the partnership between Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson annihilated the Indian bowlers as New Zealand cantered home in the end with plenty of deliveries to spare. The duo’s record-setting unbroken 221-run stand made the Indian bowlers look ordinary, especially Latham, who compiled a glittering 145* off just 104 deliveries.
“Both of them (Latham and Williamson) played fantastic knocks. They knew which bowlers to target at a specific time. I believe their partnership completely changed the scenario of the game and that was a crucial phase for us to get wickets. If we would have got one wicket we would have been under their skin and the situation could have been completely different. They were fearless in their approach and I feel that’s what helped them,” Iyer added.
