IND vs SA: Irfan Pathan Says Shreyas Iyer Struggles Against Pace Bowlers

Former Indian player Irfan Pathan pointed out Indian batter Shreyas Iyer’s struggles against pace bowlers in the last few months. Iyer has scored 94 runs in four innings at 23.50 in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa.

Iyer was dismissed by Dwaine Pretorius in the first two T20I matches after adding important contributions with scores of 36 & 40. The South African right-arm fast-medium bowler castled the Indian batter through an off-cutter in Delhi and got the better of him in Cuttack with a back-of-the-length delivery, inducing the edge off his bat.

If you are bowling less than 140 kph, Shreyas Iyer is very much comfortable: Irfan Pathan

In the fourth T20I in Rajkot, Iyer started well with a boundary off Marco Jansen but the very next ball was left trapped for LBW before the wickets. Iyer averages 32.91 against pace bowlers, just slightly better than his average of 23.69 against spinners in T20 cricket.

“Yes obviously, he has struggled against pace, not only in this series but in quite a few matches (before that). Even in the IPL, we have seen that when it comes to fast bowlers who are bowling 140-plus, he has struggled a little. His strike rate has also gone down,” Pathan told Star Sports.

“He likes to play against spinners and if you are bowling less than 140 kph, he is very much comfortable. But the one area of his game he needs to improve is facing the fast bowlers, especially when the ball comes close to his shoulders,” Pathan added.

Shreyas Iyer is a brilliant batter and he has performed really well: Irfan Pathan

Early in February, Iyer played a phenomenal role for India in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Iyer replaced Virat Kohli at No.3 and made 204 runs in three innings at a staggering strike rate of 174.36 and remained not out throughout the series.

“As far as his first-class cricket is concerned, he averages over 50. He is a brilliant batter and he has performed really well. As much as he has got a chance of batting at No. 3, he has played his part. His numbers are really good, especially in the last few months, for India as well,” Iyer said. 

India will play South Africa in the final T20I game of the series on Sunday (June 19) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Don’t Think He Needs To Be concerned- Sunil Gavaskar Believes Shreyas Iyer’s Place Is Not Under Any Threat