Shreyas Iyer wreaked havoc on Sri Lankan bowlers in the ODI World Cup clash at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on November 2, Thursday. Shreyas clobbered a lightning 82 runs off 56 balls to bag a big milestone against his name. While equalling Shikhar Dhawan's record, the star batter became just the joint-second fastest Indian batsman to amass 2000 ODI runs.
Shreyas achieved the rare feat in his 48th innings to place his name alongside Dhawan, who also took the same number of innings to notch 2000 ODI runs back in 2014.
Notably, India's batting sensation Shubman Gill holds the record of cracking the fastest 2000 ODI runs as he bagged this milestone in mere 38 innings in the World Cup clash against New Zealand.
Gill shattered Hashim Amla's record to taste the glory. Amla took 40 innings to complete his 2000 ODI runs in 2011.
Shreyas, who hammered three fours and six maximums in his stunning knock, also became the joint 12th fastest batter to amass 2000 ODI runs as he joined the likes of West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge, England’s Jonny Bairstow, Scotland’s Kyle Coetzer and Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman.
After Dilshan Madushanka sent Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, it was Shreyas who steered India to a big total of 357/8. Shortly after Virat made his way back to the pavilion after crafting a formidable 88, Shreyas teamed up with KL Rahul. Together, they stitched a robust partnership, amassing 60 crucial runs for the fourth wicket. But Iyer's hunger for runs was far from satisfied. He rampaged through the opponent's bowling attack, clinching his half-century in just 36 deliveries. His innings culminated with a stellar 82 runs off 56 balls, adorned with three boundaries and a whopping six sixes.
Earlier in the match, it was the partnership of Gill and Kohli that had kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay. Their formidable 189-run stand for the second wicket came in after Madushanka dismissed Rohit Sharma on the very second ball of the innings.
Notably, post the 2019 World Cup, Shreyas Iyer emerged as a linchpin in the Indian batting lineup. His credentials as a top contender for the No. 4 slot became more pronounced with each match. After a brief hiatus due to a back injury, he marked a triumphant return during the Asia Cup. Since that moment, Iyer has been on a run spree, painting his prowess across various matches. Notably, his exemplary century against Australia in a pre-World Cup bilateral series underscored his prime form and his indispensable role in the Indian squad.
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