Shreyas Iyer sends strong message to selectors with Ranji Trophy ton as KL Rahul fails again

Shreyas Iyer showed glimpses of his form with a magnificent hundred for defending champions Mumbai against Maharashtra during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25. The middle-order batter played some thrilling strokes during his knock which took Mumbai to a position of strength.

During Mumbai's first innings of the match, Iyer came in to bat at No. 5 when his team was in slight trouble at 132-3 and had just lost their captain Ajinkya Rahane for 31. He played his natural game and put the bad balls to the boundary.

The innings was full of eye-catching strokes as well as solidity. Iyer showed aggressive intent against the spinners which he is known for. He was particularly good against fast bowler Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who tried to pepper him with short balls.

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Shreyas Iyer scores first-class hundred after 3 years

Shreyas Iyer scores hundred for Mumbai against Maharashtra today. 100 off 131 balls, 9x4 and 3x6. #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/mlQhCWMjvT

— Devendra Pandey 🦋 (@pdevendra) October 19, 2024

The 29-year-old right-hander reached his hundred off 131 balls. With this knock, he ended his long century drought in first-class cricket. This was Shreyas Iyer's first hundred in first-class cricket in three years.

Iyer's last first-class hundred was in the Kanpur Test between India and New Zealand in November 2021. During this knock, he also completed the milestone of 6000 runs in first-class cricket.

Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for 142 off 190 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes. He was dismissed by the left-arm spinner Hitesh Walunj. Despite being dismissed, he ensured to put Mumbai in command where they could push for an outright victory.

During his knock, he formed a crucial partnership of 200 runs with the young opener Ayush Mhatre. Mhatre was the top run-scorer for Mumbai with 176 off 232 balls. The 17-year-old smashed 22 fours and 4 sixes during his knock.

Shreyas Iyer's recent form

It was a much-needed innings for Shreyas Iyer who has been out of India's Test team since the Test series against England earlier this year. Iyer played in the Duleep Trophy recently where he could score just 154 runs in 6 first-class innings.

Iyer was also in Mumbai's Irani Cup Playing XI against the Rest of India where he scored 57 and 8 across two innings. In Mumbai's first Ranji Trophy game against Baroda, he scored 0 and 30 across two innings.

Iyer has had a mixed bag this year where he was removed from BCCI's central contracts list. However, the 29-year-old showed his captaincy credentials in the IPL and led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title win this season.

Mumbai reply strongly after the opening-round loss

Meanwhile, defending champions Mumbai have responded strongly after their defeat to Baroda in the opening round of this season's Ranji Trophy. After bundling out Maharashtra for just 126, Mumbai piled on runs and scored 441 in their first innings.

While Iyer and Mhatre scored brilliant hundreds, Hitesh Walunj finished with 6-134 for Maharashtra. Iyer has now got the momentum and will look to continue his form for the rest of the season.