After Virat Kohli, Mohammad Kaif Has Found India's Next Big Thing

A clinical performance by India saw the visitors chase down a daunting target of 204. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli found themselves among runs. Earlier in the day, New Zealand were lifted by skipper Kane Williamson and veteran batter Ross Taylor. 

Virat Kohli’s India draws first blood

The duo hit their respective fifties to take the side over the 200-run mark. But all the effort went in vain as Rahul hit a quick-fire 56 in the company of Kohli (45). But it needed a stellar knock from Shreyas Iyer to take the side over the finishing line. Iyer hit five fours and three sixes and it peppered India to chase down the target with an over to spare.

Coming in at no.4, the Mumbai batsman milked the Kiwi bowlers and found the fence at least once, every time the asking rate was shooting up. He stayed unbeaten till the end and played a good hand of 58. He was adjudged the man of the match. Taking to Twitter, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on the youngster.

You’ve seen the rise of #ViratKohli, of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and now KL Rahul too.

Watch out for the next big thing – @ShreyasIyer15

Such ease and composure despite playing in New Zealand for the first time! #NZvsIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 24, 2020

Iyer’s brilliance catches Mohammad Kaif’s eyes

He termed Iyer as the next big thing in Indian cricket. And added him with some of the elite names in the current squad. India have been struggling to find a no.4 batter and in Iyer, they have a strong contender. “You’ve seen the rise of #ViratKohli, of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and now KL Rahul too. Watch out for the next big thing – @ShreyasIyer15. Such ease and composure despite playing in New Zealand for the first time! #NZvsIND,” mentioned Kaif.

This was Iyer’s second fifty in 18 games in the shortest format. The 25-year-old has turned out for India in 15 ODIs as well, averaging 44.25 with six fifties under the belt.  A prolific scorer in the domestic circuit, Iyer is a modern-day batsman with the adequate skill to thrive in the international scene. 

This is his first tour to New Zealand and a start as such will help him cement a place in the side and craft a mature figure in the star-studded pack. With the first game done and dusted, the sides will lock horns in the 2nd T20I which will take place on 26 January at Eden Park.