"Virat Kohli Wasn't The Reason India Posted A Huge Total vs New Zealand.."- Yuvraj Singh

Published - 18 Nov 2023, 01:36 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:11 AM

Yuvraj Singh Virat Kohli
Yuvraj Singh Virat Kohli. Image Credits: X

Yuvraj Singh has credited Shreyas Iyer for India’s huge total against New Zealand in the semifinal of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Team India beat the Black Caps by 70 runs to book their place in the final for the first time since 2011.

After Rohit Sharma opted to bat first, India posted a huge total of 397 for 4 in the allotted 50 overs. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored centuries while Shubman Gill played an unbeaten knock of 80 runs to help India pile up the big total. Kohli scored 117 runs off 113 balls with the help of 9 fours and a couple of sixes.

Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, played a whirlwind knock as he scored his second century in a row in the ongoing World Cup. The right-handed batsman smashed 105 runs off just 70 balls with the help of 4 fours and 8 sixes. India had already crossed the 380-run mark when Iyer was dismissed. And Yuvraj Singh believes Iyer’s quickfire knock was the reason behind India’s big total.

“Virat Kohli is probably the one of the greatest of all time, but the reason India posted such a big total in the Semis was Shreyas Iyer. He’s batted fearlessly,” Yuvraj Singh told Aaj Tak.

Interestingly, Yuvraj Singh’s comments have come at a time when Virat Kohli is facing criticism from several quarters for his strike rate. While the right-handed batsman has scored consistently for India in the competition, he has come under fire for his approach with the bat.

Shreyas Iyer’s World Cup run so far:

Shreyas Iyer has turned around his campaign in the ongoing World Cup in style. The right-handed batter was facing criticism for his failures early in the competition, especially against tougher opposition. However, he has managed to give a fitting reply to his critics by doing well in the second half of the competition. In the last four games, he has registered scores of 105, 128*, 77 and 82.

Meanwhile, India will lock horns against Australia in the final for a third World Cup title. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday (November 19) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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