IND vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer scores second consecutive century in ICC ODI World Cup 2023

As the world basked in the glory of Virat Kohli scoring his landmark 50th One Day International (ODI) century, Shreyas Iyer played a fantastic hand from the other end to bring up his second consecutive century in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.

It is also the third-fastest ton by an Indian in the history of the competition, surpassing the ones hit by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma and 62 and 63 deliveries against Netherlands and Afghanistan earlier in the competition

Iyer came out to bat amidst strange conditions, with Shubman Gill retiring hurt at 79 in the semi-final of the tournament against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

As was expected, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson unleashed the pace of Lockie Ferguson against Iyer. The batter did look a tad bit uncomfortable dealing with the same, as he shuffled across the crease to work the ball on both sides of the pitch and rotate the strike.

However, he did optimise his strengths against the Kiwi spin bowling trio of Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips. Iyer took a special liking for Ravindra, hammering the all-rounder for maximums down the ground en route reaching the three-figure mark.

Iyer slammed three boundaries and eight maximums to get to his century, as he ensured that the scoring rate didn’t take a hit at any juncture of the innings. Rahul Dravid (1999) and Rohit Sharma (2019) are the only other Indians to have scored consecutive centuries in the ODI World Cup previously. It is a redeeming moment for Iyer too, whose place in the side was questioned after his erratic dismissal against England in Lucknow last month.

First Published: Nov 15, 2023 5:37 PM IST