Shreyas Iyer-The Unsung Hero Behind Virat Kohli’s Stellar Form

Indian cricket enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the much-awaited final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where India will compete against New Zealand. Though the limelight has regularly fallen on batting genius Virat Kohli for his masterful performances, an often-understated yet no less impactful performer to India's victories has been Shreyas Iyer. His stabilizing influence on the middle order and relief from exerting pressure on Kohli has been a game-saver for the team.

Kohli’s Red-Hot Form in the Tournament

Virat Kohli has been at his absolute best in this tournament, delivering match-winning performances that have kept India’s title hopes alive. His unbeaten century against Pakistan was a masterclass in controlled aggression, while his 84-run knock against Australia in the semi-final was a testament to his ability to anchor the innings under pressure. Kohli’s ability to chase targets and keep the scoreboard ticking has made him an invaluable asset to the team.

However, cricket is a team sport, and even the best need support. While Kohli’s brilliance with the bat has been evident, it has been Shreyas Iyer’s performances that have provided the perfect balance to India’s batting lineup. The duo has forged a formidable partnership in the middle order, making it difficult for opposition captains to dictate terms with their bowling strategies.

Ashwin’s High Praise for Iyer

Veteran off-spinner and ex-Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently pointed out Iyer's contributions, naming him the 'game-changer' for India in this tournament. On his Hindi YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat,' Ashwin praised Iyer for his consistent performance and for taking the pressure off Kohli, particularly while facing spin bowling.

"For me, the game-changer will be Shreyas Iyer. It is because of his recent form.". This lad has played a great 2023 World Cup. He has played well against New Zealand. He has performed well at the Wankhede in Mumbai. And once again, in this tournament, he has been crackerjack. He has done well with his short-ball game too. Of course, he got dismissed in the previous match. But that doesn't matter. I believe this is Shreyas Iyer's greatest strength. He wants to get better at what he is not good at,” Ashwin remarked.

Iyer’s Impact on Kohli’s Performance

One of the most interesting points Ashwin raised was how Iyer’s aggressive approach against spinners has directly benefited Kohli. He recounted an instance during a press conference where India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was asked about Kohli’s dismissal against a leg-spinner. Gambhir’s response was straightforward – even great players get out, but the bigger picture is how Kohli is able to bat freely due to Iyer’s presence at the other end.

"The manner in which he plays, it assists Virat Kohli. There was a query with Gauti during the press conference. What was the talk with Virat? Because he got out to a leg-spinner. Gauti provided a brilliant response. The man has played 300 matches. Naturally, he will get out.". But aside from that, there is one thing: Virat Kohli can play the way he is playing because Shreyas Iyer is playing this way against spin," Ashwin elucidated.

Iyer's capability to handle spinners does not allow opposition captains to place restrictive fields and use spin choke tactics against India. This enables Kohli to play his natural game without being compelled to play rash shots. The rapport between the two has been instrumental in India's success during the middle overs, where most matches are won or lost.

The Perfect Partnership in Middle Overs

The combination of Kohli and Iyer has emerged as one of the most dependable batting pairs in recent times. While Kohli’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries with calculated precision is well-known, Iyer’s fearless stroke play complements him perfectly. Their partnership has often turned the tide in India’s favor, breaking the shackles imposed by the opposition.

"When there is a combination of Virat and Shreyas, the captains are unable to enforce a spin choke. Shreyas is taking all the pressure off Virat. So, these two during the middle overs have created an unbreakable pair. And for Virat's success, Shreyas Iyer has contributed to it. And for Shreyas's success, Virat contributes to it. Because this is what people describe as playing in partnerships," Ashwin explained.

Iyer's Evolution and Mental Strength

One of the most impressive things about Iyer's career has been his ability to get over obstacles and develop his game every day. The right-hander was once criticized for his vulnerability against short-pitched balls. But he has worked extremely hard on this part of his game and has demonstrated incredible improvement. His ability to adjust to varying conditions, particularly on the slow and low Dubai pitches, has made him one of the highlight middle-order batsmen of the tournament.

Ashwin's admiration for Iyer is not only for his performances but also for his mental toughness and commitment to improving. Cricket at the international level is as much a mental game as it is a technical one, and Iyer's commitment to improving his game has been a key reason for his recent success.

Looking Ahead to the Final

As India prepares to take on New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, the Kohli-Iyer combination will again be key to India's success. With Kohli in scintillating form and Iyer showing his aggressive side, India's middle order appears to be very strong. If these two players maintain their good form, India has a very good chance of winning the trophy.

India's batting story has always been that of players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but now it is about time that Shreyas Iyer receives his due. Not only can he take the burden off the top performers of the team, he can play against spin with poise and forge game-changing alliances, making him an irreplaceable member of the team. As Ashwin rightly put, Iyer can prove to be that game-changer that India would need to emerge victorious against New Zealand in the final contest.