India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has put an end to speculation regarding Shreyas Iyer’s place in the ODI setup, confirming that the in-form batter was always in the team’s plans for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gambhir clarified that Iyer was never sidelined and that India’s decision to rotate players during the 3-0 ODI series sweep against England was part of a strategic approach to give everyone game time.
“He wasn’t supposed to be benched throughout the series. We wanted to give Yashasvi (Jaiswal) a go in the first game and see what he could bring to the table because he was in really good form in Australia.”
– Gautam Gambhir
Despite initial uncertainty over Iyer’s role, he was eventually preferred over Jaiswal and delivered consistent performances, reaffirming his position in India’s middle order.
Shreyas Iyer’s Impact in IND vs ENG ODI Series
Iyer played a crucial role in India’s dominance over England, proving why he remains a key middle-order batter.
📌 Iyer’s Scores in the ODI Series:
✅ 1st ODI (Nagpur): 59 off 36 balls (India were struggling at 19/2 in a 249-run chase)
✅ 2nd ODI (Cuttack): 44 off 52 balls (Stabilized the innings in a tricky chase)
✅ 3rd ODI (Ahmedabad): 78 off 64 balls (Aggressive strokeplay set up India’s big total)
His ability to counterattack under pressure, particularly in the first ODI when India lost early wickets, was a standout performance.
Was Shreyas Iyer at Risk of Being Dropped?
Speculation over Iyer’s place in the XI arose after he claimed in a post-match interview that he only got a chance in the first ODI because Virat Kohli was unavailable due to a sore knee. This statement fueled discussions that he could be benched once Kohli returned.
However, Gambhir has now dismissed those concerns, confirming that Iyer was always in India’s plans and that the team management wanted to maximize squad rotation ahead of the Champions Trophy.
“We always knew that Shreyas was going to be an important player for us. Sometimes when you’ve only got three games, you want to try and rotate your squad as well.”
Iyer’s Role in Champions Trophy 2025
With the Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19, Iyer is expected to play a key role in India’s middle order, given his:
✔️ Ability to anchor innings after early wickets.
✔️ Aggressive gameplay against spin & pace.
✔️ Experience in ICC tournaments.
India’s middle-order combination in the tournament will likely feature:
- Virat Kohli at No. 3
- Shreyas Iyer at No. 4
- KL Rahul at No. 5
With India playing all their matches in Dubai, conditions may favor batters who can play spin well, further solidifying Iyer’s spot in the XI.
📌 India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
📆 February 20 – 🆚 Bangladesh | Dubai International Stadium
📆 March 2 – 🆚 Pakistan | Dubai International Stadium
📆 March 6 – 🆚 New Zealand | Dubai International Stadium
If India reaches the final, it will also be played in Dubai.
Iyer Is Here to Stay
Despite early doubts about his selection, Shreyas Iyer has firmly cemented his spot in the team ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Gambhir’s statement confirms that Iyer was always part of India’s core strategy, and his match-winning contributions against England further solidify his importance in the middle order.
🚨 What do you think? Should Shreyas Iyer be a guaranteed starter in the Champions Trophy? Share your thoughts below! 👇🏏🔥
