India have set up a World Cup 2023 final date with Australia following commanding victory over New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in the semifinal. Rohit Sharma-led India secured a 70-run triumph, as Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami ramained the architects of Men In Blue's win. Kohli and Iyer's centuries set a formidable target of 398 runs for the Kiwis, while Shami's outstanding seven-wicket haul ensured a firm grip for India in the match. This will be the second time that India and Australia will be up against each other in the ODI World Cup.
Virat and Shami have been consistently delivering top-notch performances, but the journey for Iyer was not as smooth initially. He faced considerable criticism from Indian fans and was under scrutiny due to his lackluster performance in the early stages of the tournament. There were growing concerns about his place in the team as he struggled to score in the initial matches.
However, Iyer's journey is a classic tale of resilience and redemption. He was dismissed for a duck against Australia in the World Cup opener and had a modest performance in the following games against Afghanistan and Pakistan. His struggle continued against Bangladesh and New Zealand, but the tide turned against England, where he started to regain form. The real turnaround came in the matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa, where he scored 82 and 77 runs respectively. His century against the Netherlands was a clear indication of his return to form. In the crucial match against New Zealand, Iyer scored an impressive 105 off 70 balls, including 8 boundaries and 9 sixes, a performance that played a significant role in India's victory. Iyer etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the first middle-order batter to amass an exceptional 500 runs or more in a single edition of the ICC ODI World Cup. His remarkable feat was achieved during the 2023 World Cup, where he showcased his exceptional batting prowess, accumulating a staggering 526 runs at an impressive average of 75.14 and a remarkable strike rate exceeding 113.
Iyer’s turnaround was not just a result of his individual effort but also the consistent support he received from the team management. Post the semifinal match, Iyer acknowledged the unwavering support from the captain and the coach, stating that they advised him to ignore external criticisms and focus on his game. He admitted that playing under pressure was challenging, but performing well in front of a large audience boosted his confidence significantly.
Iyer's contributions to India's World Cup campaign have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has struck two centuries and three half-centuries, with his highest individual score being an unbeaten 128. His impressive performances have placed him among the tournament's top five run-scorers, solidifying his position as a key player in India's cricketing arsenal.
Iyer's return from injury in September 2023 was marred by a back spasm that sidelined him for the remainder of the Asia Cup. However, he bounced back strongly in India's bilateral series against Australia just before the World Cup, marking his return to the XI with a resounding century. Iyer missed nearly eight months of cricket due to a debilitating back injury, but the Indian team management remained steadfast in their belief in his abilities, placing their trust in him to deliver during the crucial World Cup tournament. And the star batter proved his worth and batting prowess and lived up to everyone's expectations.
Iyer has previously mentioned his efforts to avoid superstitions in cricket, with the exception of his bats. However, the way he describes his bat reveals a unique story in itself. “The bat is like a sword, a weapon. I even interact with it now and then.”
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