How Shreyas Iyer Emerged As a Game-Changer for Team India in Champions Trophy Semifinal vs AUS? Ex-Cricketer Explains

Champions Trophy 2025: Former India opener Akash Chopra applauds Shreyas Iyer's skills and capacity when he elevated the Rohit Sharma-led India over Australia in the Champions Trophy Semifinal. He expressed that Iyer came out of the syllabus and helped carry the Indian side ahead and pushed them into the summit clash of the marquee ICC event.

Ex-India Cricketer Goes Gaga On Shreyas Iyer's Skillset

Team India's middle order has been a major highlight in the Champions Trophy so far. The Indian side's capacity to have proper functioning cricketers who could bat has paid off well. The middle order has been mighty impressive as they have aided the Rohit Sharma-led side and turned it into a dominant all-around force in the competition. Akash Chopra is in awe of Shreyas Iyer and has deemed him as 'Mr. Consistent' for his composed innings as he looked much assured than Virat Kohli.

"Iyer is fire. How well he bats. This time even the run-out. The total would have 100 per cent gone to 284 instead of 264 without his direct to get Alex Carey run-out because Alex Carey was batting beautifully. He was carrying the team forward. He came slightly out of syllabus, as we were scared of Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis.

"So the fast flat throw that hit the stumps, I said wow. He also took a catch in the deep. Then when he comes to bat, he is Shreyas Mr Consistent Iyer. Kohli was batting with him, but who was looking more assured? Shreyas Iyer. Who was controlling the game? Shreyas Iyer," Akash Chopra said in one of his videos on his YouTube Channel.

Also Read: ICC Rankings: Virat Kohli Edges Rohit Sharma, Challenges Shubman Gill For Top Spot Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025 Final

Iyer and Team India Are Waiting For The CT Final

Shreyas Iyer's consistent batting has been very fruitful for the Indian side. The batter's half-century against Pakistan and then a 79-run innings against New Zealand propelled India into the Champions Trophy Final. After regaining his top-tier form in the domestic circuit, the Indian cricketer made his way back into the white-ball scene of the Indian national team.

Team India's opponent is yet to be determined, South Africa and New Zealand lock horns in the second semifinal at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. The winner will be heading to Dubai for the summit clash on Sunday, March 09, 2025.

Also Read: 'INJURED' Hardik Pandya to Miss ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final in Dubai? Ex-India Cricketer Shares Jaw-Dropping Reaction